NIGEL Bayliss starred in Malvern Anglers' Cropthorne pairs match on the River Avon.

With a cold morning, northerly winds and clear water conditions, competitors were pessimistic about catches for their third pairs match of the season.

All but a few small fish were reluctant as all anglers struggled to catch much weight.

Nevertheless, in the bottom peg of the match despite being bothered by a pike taking some of his fish Bayliss was able to accumulate a number of small perch, chub, roach and gudgeon to weigh in 3lb 8oz 0dr.

At the other end of the match Lee Harman was also bothered by a pike but had a similar selection of small fish to weigh in 2-2.

Paul Lane had a chub to make up his weight of 1-10 but could have won the match had he landed a big barbel that broke his pole elastic.

In the pairs places, Bayliss’ weight alone was enough to win with Dave Crowley while Lee Harman and Graham Rees were second with 2-9.

Chris Loveridge caught 1-6, Clive Harman 0-12, John Shaw 0-10, John Wagstaff 0-7 and Dick Oakley 0-7.

Other pairs weights were Lane and Wagstaff 2-1, Clive Harman and Shaw 1-6, Loveridge and Vince Crowley 1-6 and Oakley and Pete Roberts 0-7.