DORSET Raiders put in a tremendous performance in the fifth round of The Hants, Wilts and Dorset Winter League on the tidal reaches of The Dorset Stour where just two points separated the first three sides.

On the day Dorset raiders had three section winners and finished with 57 section points. Thatcher's finished second with 56 points with Eastleigh third on 55.

Others: Pewsey 45, Todber 39, TVAC 36, Christchurch and Andover 35.

With just one match remaining, a week on Sunday on The Kennet and Avon Canal at Pewsey, Thatchers have an unassailable lead with nine penalty points and will be crowned champions in their first year in the league.

Last year's champions Eastleigh Mosella have moved right onto the shoulder of Todber Manor with Todber on 15 penalty points to Eastleigh's 16 and the last match will decide who qualifies for The National semi-finals along with Thatcher's.

Todber have already had good results on the canal this year and will be favourites to hold onto their lead.

Individually Richie Chave (Todber) took 20lb 4oz of bream and skimmers from the net bush on the pony fields on feeder and maggot to shade Martin Barratt (Dorset Raiders) who had a cracking 19lb 14oz of roach and dace on the crow quill and maggot from above mexi fence.

Steve Hunt (Eastleigh) finished third with 18lb 13oz of roach and dace on the stick float from above Iford Bridge with Vic Bush (Thatchers) fourth with 15lb 8oz.

Others: P Dix (Thatchers) 14lb 6oz, N King (Raiders) 13lb 7oz. Section winners - A: J Pole (Raiders) 10lb 11oz, B: N King (Raiders) 13lb 7oz, C: G Tappenden (Eastleigh) 1lb 5oz, D: A Hillman (TVAC) 10lb 13oz, E: P Dix (Thatchers) 14lb 6oz, F: B Shutter (Pewsey) 4lb 7oz, G: R Chave (Todber) 20lb 4oz, H: M Barratt (Raiders) 19lb 14oz, J: S Nadin (Eastleigh) 6lb 10oz, K: S Hunt (Eastleigh) 18lb 13oz.

l In The Avon Valley Winter League on The Kennet and Avon Canal between little Bedwin and Great Bedwin, Hansfords Match Group put in an outstanding performance including three out of the top six to win handsomely on the day with 65 points.

Allans Marine were second with 53 points, while league leaders Starfix Farnborough could only manage third with 51.

Others: Farnham 50, Godalming 39, Portsmouth 30.

With one match remaining on the Wey Navigational between Byfleet and The White Hart a week Sunday, Starfix Farnborough lead with eight penalty points from Hansfords on ten. Both are certain to qualify for the national semi-finals.

Others: Allans Marine 18, Farnham 27, Godalming 25, Thames Angling Mega Bait 27.

Individually Poingdestres-sponsored angler Dave Pool, fishing for Hansfords, took 27lb 8oz of skimmers, bream and roach on the pole and caster from the wides at Potters to finish well clear of his field.

Ian Snook (Allans Marine) finished second with 12lb 8oz of roach on caster from the wharf at Great Bedwin with Brett Cooper (Hansfords) third with 10lb 9oz which included three perch for 6lb on the pole and worm.

Others: P Etherington (Godalming) 10lb 8oz, B Stannett (Twyford) 10lb 5oz, S Pomery (Hansfords) 10lb 1oz.

Cormorants' competition on the Match Lake at Broadlands saw Dave Nightingale sweep to victory on the golden peg to collect a superb £350 pay-day from peg 14 with his back to the main lake.

Nightingale fished pellet and pole in the margins close to a reed bed to take 15 carp for 52lb 8oz. Dave Rickwood finished second with 12 carp for 40lb 8oz taken on the long pole and pellet from peg 16 with Garry Wright third with 38lb 15oz.

Others: R Stride 28lb 2oz, C Egerton (Poingdestres) 25lb 8oz.

The Kennet Ospreys held a match on Longbridge Lake with the top two weights coming from the canal. Brian Baker fished peg 42 on the canal to take 32lb 8oz of carp on the corn over pellet.

Bill Suggers fished peg 38 on the pole and worm over pellet to land 32lb 6oz of skimmers and carp. Terry Bowles finished third from peg 11 with two carp plus skimmers and tench on the pole and worm. Alan Page finished fourth with 25lb 2oz of silver fish and tench on pole and caster from peg 30.

Dave Parvin (TVAC) continued his great run on Greenridge Farm with another victory. Fishing on peg 14 on canal two, Parvin took 62lb of carp to 5lb on the pole and pellet. Mick Kenny finished second with 32lb from canal two on peg 16 with Mark Brown third with 31lb.