QUALITY plaice put in an appearance during the Rovers Tackle midweek pegged open shore competition at Lee-on-the-Solent, and Andy Baulf from Fareham recorded a pair of beauties.

Baulf, a 42-year-old general manager, used ragworm and mackerel to tempt the redspots, which measured in at 43cm and 38cm. He went on to land a number of smaller fish to finish second in the event with 142 points.

Chris Clark from Lymington won with nine fish worth 225 points, including a nice plaice measuring 43cm.

Dave Edwards was third, with 133 points, followed by Dave Ware (129) and John Gilbert (108). The prize for the longest fish went to Mick Goodger from Southampton with a 54cm dogfish, followed by Dave Ware with a 48cm smoothhound and then both Gilbert and Clark, who had fish measuring 44cm.

Species caught included pouting, bass, thorneback rays, plaice, smoothhound and dogfish.

There will now be a three-month break before Rovers Tackle stage their next midweek pegged evening open on August 24 at Stokes Bay. Full details will be available early in August.

l The Milford Shingle Bank was the setting for the second round of the four-a-side Neptune Inter Club League where smoothhound, dogfish, mackerel and silver eels supplied lively action.

The Wessex Angling team who drew a complete blank during the first round ran out clear winners this time with 21lb 14oz, ahead of Lymington & District SFC (8lb 10oz). Christchurch & District were third with 5lb 2oz.

Others: Boscombe & Southbourne A 4lb 12.5oz, Bournemouth & District A 3lb 4oz, Boscombe & Southbourne B 1lb 4oz, Wessex Hawks 1lb, Christchurch Shore 9oz.

The rest of the teams, including the crew from Christchurch Angling, drew a complete blank. Next match in the series will be on June 10 between Double Dykes and Mudeford when wrasse, flounder, mackerel, sole and silver eels are expected to supply most action (fishing 7.30pm-10.30pm).

l A major membership launch by the National Federation of Sea Anglers is to be spearheaded by the local Wessex Division for a six-month trial period which, if successful, will be implemented nationwide. The launch will involve help from 20 local tackle shops who will be handing out leaflets and membership forms to grass roots anglers. During the next 12 months the NFSA are hoping for a 15 per cent rise in both individual and club membership so that they have more funds available for their conservation work and in helping make their voice heard at the highest level in the UK and Brussels.

Wessex committee's scheme has been accepted by the NFSA executive committee. Now the local division will monitor the scheme and report back to the national body on a regular basis.

l On the freelance front another cracking thorneback ray has been taken from the Hill Head section by Adrian Pritchard from Warsash during an all-night session. Fishing at low water on the end of the long shingle spit, the 34-year-old maintenance fitter used peeler crab presented on a size 2/0 hook. The huge thorneback weighed in at 12lb 3oz to set a new personal best and was returned alive.

During the same session Pritchard also landed a smaller ray weighing 4lb 10oz and two small smoothhound.

l All eyes will be on the stretch of shoreline between Taddiford and Hurst Castle, including the backwaters, on Saturday evening when the Lymington Club stage their Spring Open beach competition (fishing 7pm-midnight). The event has a £200 top prize and doubles up as a Penn point fixture. Tickets are £7 plus a two-man team event and pools for heaviest flat and round fish. Expected species include small-eyed-rays, pollack, dogfish and smoothhound from the Hordle Cliff section while pout, silver eels, pollack and bass should figure from the Hurst Castle section. The Needles Eye Cafe will act as headquarters with registration getting under way from 5pm. Nigel Shoat will have full details (01590 678905).