Drennan Oxford have made a positive start in the first round of the Oxford Winter League with a team win and two individual framers.

Seven teams are involved in the Oxford division as they start the journey towards the Angling Trust Winter League Final. The first round was held on the River Thames at Abingdon and Culham. Conditions were far from ideal with the river being slow, low and clear. With the first frost of the Autumn also greeting the anglers, fishing was going to be hard for most. Despite this, the river came up with the goods again with plenty of small roach skimmers and some very big perch being caught throughout the length of the river.

Drennan Team England international, Simon Willsmore, led the way with 14lb 14oz of roach and 15 small skimmers from the end peg by the sailing club.

Drennan Oxford’s Matt Herbert (pictured) was joint second from the swimming pool above the the town bridge. He had 13lb 13oz of all large roach caught at 13m on caster over groundbait and finely minced worm, cupping in six balls and topping up regular once bites began to where off.

Team mate Darren Scott completed the frame with 10lb 3oz of roach from below the town bridge, fishing similar tactics as Matt.

On the team front, Drennan Oxford came through with flying colours to win the first round round with two section wins, three seconds and the rest of the team no lower than third.

With the rain that has fallen and due over the next week or so, this should freshen up the river nicely and hopefully help to produce some great bags of roach and skimmers, which the river is known for this time of year.

Team Result
1st Drennan Oxford 50pts
2nd Tubertini Apollo 47pts
3rd Sensas A4 41pts