After suffering gruelling rounds with poor results in the North Norfolk Division of the National Sea League, the final match of the series produced superb cod catches from Bacton beach.

After suffering gruelling rounds with poor results in the North Norfolk Division of the National Sea League, the final match of the series produced superb cod catches from Bacton beach.

Winner was Tony Thomas (North Norfolk Lads) with codling to 4lb in his 15lb 4oz total.

Then came Keith Morley (EA Baits) with 9lb 1oz and Clyde Leggett (EA Baits) 8lb 12oz.

East Anglian Baits won the final round with just six penalty points to run away with the title with the score of 39 followed by North Norfolk Lads 63, TCX 73, and Trevs 80.

Those four qualify for the final at Eastbourne in November and others to finish were Dads Army 95, and Morston Creek 101.

'These were the first decent catches of cod from north Norfolk beaches for more than a year,' said the league secretary Tony Thomas. 'I thinks these springers will stay along our beaches until the end of April at least.'

The Holt Sea Angling Club staged their prize presentation at the Dun Cow in Salthouse and the main trophy winners were R Ives - Summer Accumulator Trophy, Ken Brown Cup, S Ernie Cup, J Long Shield, Lloyd Durham Shield, Heaviest Round Fish Cup and Overall Points Shield. S Attew - Nelson Cup. T Chidwick - Mack Cup, Waller Memorial. J Neave - Presidents Cup, Matthews Cup. T Thomas - Woodward Cup, Nelson Shield, Janet Waller Cup, Bumphrey Shield, Nite Shield, Winner Accumulator Cup, Specimen Shield, Most Fish Trophy. H Randell - Foreman Cup, Junior Cup, Thompson Cod Cup. R Ward - Cockaday Cup, H Randell/W Ward Pairs Shield.

With the coarse fishing season closed until June 16 anglers will be seeking their sport on local lakes that remain exempt from the 93-day statutory break.

The waters in form are Gimingham Lakes where day ticket holders are reporting numbers of quality tench to over 6lb along with sizeable carp.

Cobbleacre Lakes at Hevingham are coming into form with mixed species and carp well into double figures and the Chapel Road Roughton fishery is producing various carp species to over 14lb as well as tench and perch.

The Reepham fishery is being targeted by match angling clubs and producing mixed bags to over 30lb and so is the Glenmere venue at Sustead.