BMCA trial at Wilderley 17.11.2019
After a lay off of three weeks, the competitors (and hopefully observers too) were chomping at the bit and eager to get back into action. Thankfully the deluge that the UK has endured in the preceding weeks didn’t spoil the chances of running this week’s trial. Expertly plotted out by Nigel Houlston with the aid of his trusty companion Skye the dog, we certainly enjoyed a cracking trial!
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- Mick Parkes – Bantam
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- Harry Barfield – Ban (library picture)
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- Paul Howells – Rigid Bantam
Tucked away along the tiny grassy Shropshire lanes, the little gem of a venue that is Coppice farm, welcomed the BMCA once again this week. Considering the floods and disruption that seemed t grasp a large part of the UK in the week, many were surprised that the trial was still on. Those who have visited the venue before may well recall it as fairly soft and wet ground –at any time. It was no surprise to find the ground much the same as remembered, but it was a huge surprise to find that there was grip to be found. I say found, as it wasn’t immediately accessible, but careful control in places and giving of beans in others as appropriate, could yield surprising degrees of grip!
Close competition in clubman class saw the top three finish on single figures; Steve Haines, Andy Hunt and Steve Leyshon. A tidy ride from Cub rider Haines resulted in just four points lost. Moseley & District club members Hunt and Leyshon too second and third place respectively, with Hunt edging it by one point to finish on six points lost. It was pretty tight across the rest of the class, scores only increasing by a few from one rider to the next. A particular mention must go to Harry Barfield, his riding is coming on leaps and bounds; “He’s coming on well!” could be heard on numerous occasions – keep it up!
Dave Thomas’ Ariel sporting a modern style mudguard – courtesy of a wild wheelie when larking about post-trial!
Intermediate class leaders this week, again all on single figures, Bob Greenhough, Kevin Walker and Tony Hill. Greenhough took the class by storm with a superb ride, just one five spoiling his otherwise clean scoresheet! A close scrap for second between Walker and Hill saw both finish on nine points; Walker came out the better across the scoreboard.
Expert class certainly attracted higher scores than you may expect, but great performances all round considering the trickiness of some of the sections. Steve Hay, Paul Howells and Bill Woodcock made up the podium. Hay and Howells had their own mini competition, both piloting rigid Bantams this week. Hay found a few occasions to take an extra, valuable, clean; finishing on sixteen points lost. Once again, there was tight scoring between second and third, Howells just taking second one point ahead on twenty-one to Woodcock’s twenty-two – great riding from both.
Thanks again to all the guys and gals that chipped in to put the trial on and observe – your efforts are greatly valued!
Abbreviated results:
Expert class; 1 STEVEN HAY (BAN) 16, 2 PAUL HOWELLS (BAN) 21, 3 BILL WOODCOCK (BAN) 22
Intermediate class; 1 BOB GREENHOUGH (BAN) 5, 2 KEVIN WALKER (CUB) 9, 3 TONY HILL (BAN) 9
Clubman class; 1 STEVE HAINES (CUB) 4, 2 ANDY HUNT (VIL) 6, 3 STEPHEN LEYSHON (BAN) 7
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