Ben Millichap, Bantam
Organised and laid out by Steve Leyshon and Kevin Walker, this week’s trial was hosted at Hunnington, a return visit following the earlier trial of October 2018. And what a difference a few months have made, this week was an entirely different experience! Not just a one-trick pony, this venue keeps you on your toes. The water level in the stream was higher, and the surrounding banks a lot more slippery than on our last visit.
Although the weather on the day was fine and dry, the ground conditions made for a ‘proper trial’ as many commented. The clay soil, now saturated and slippery, was tricky to walk on, let alone ride over. Nevertheless the guys did a sterling job of setting out the sections and brought off another great trial.
The experts class top spots went to Ben Millichap, Kevin Taylor and Paul Howells. Grass track man Millichap shone through this week, with agility and control aplenty, he saw off the regular seasoned BMCA competitors. A hair’s width difference between Taylor and Howells, saw Taylor take second by just two marks.
Paul Howells, Bantam
The over 350cc class was a two man battle with both competitors on Triumph twins. Simon Chell bettered Pete Reed to take the class win 79 points to 102. Hats off to both guys for having the guts, and the muscle, to tackle the trial on such big, lovely sounding, machines!
Pete Reed, Triumph
The Intermediate class also saw close competition with podium places going to Jim Teague, Dave Jones and Kelvin Walker. Teague took the win in style, a clear thirteen points ahead of Jones. A couple of lap’s worth of riding the wrong route cost Walker dearly, resulting in third place – by his own admission – had he paid more attention to the marking, perhaps he would have taken second!
It was another close-run affair for the Clubmen. Tony Hill, George Houghton and Andy Hunt heading up the field. Hill just pipped Houghton to take first place by one mark. Hunt returning from a sojourn, showed his true pedigree and finished just three points adrift of first place. Great riding all round!
New riders who had shown up to recent trials were once again in attendance, and it was good to see Mick “Bonkey” Bowers and the Chell family, Simon, Chris and Joe travelling down and enjoying their outing – hopefully they will carry on to become BMCA regulars and give the rest of us a chance to test our mettle!
Report and Pics: Spanner
Andy Hunt, Villiers
Jim Teague, Drayton C15