BMCA trial at Hunnington 27.09.2020
Report by Spanner, Photographs by Cat Woman.
This season has got off to a great start with some cracking trials, great turn-outs and the weather has been on our side too (makes a nice change compared to last season!). Another bright and crisp morning, maybe a touch more autumnal this week, and the familiar banks and brook awaited the keen lads and lasses.
A great deal of thought and effort was put in by the guys (Stephen Leyshon, Kevin Walker, Dave Beddoes, Nigel Randall and Laurence Alden) to give us this week’s ten sections – and they got it spot on! The lap kicked off with some work along the banks, a real test of body positioning and weight transfer was required here. On to three sections in the stream: water levels still quite low but the rocks kept the competitors entertained and on their toes (literally, if you employ good body positioning).
Thirty four entrants spread over the classes, but experts class and Intermediate class proved to be the most popular, fielding thirteen riders in each.
Teague – ready to roll! 
Mick and Paul – socially distanced queue!
Gentleman class John Shaw brought his plunger out to stretch its legs again this week, he unfortunately finished early but was riding well up until then.
Clubman class saw a trio of Bantam pilots finish in the top three: Stephen Leyshon, John Cope and John Nyons. Clubman stalwart Leyshon lead the class on twenty two points lost. Cope once again proved himself a force to be reckoned with: beating off Nyons to take second place on twenty-nine points lost. A class leading score on section five by Nyons and tidy riding throughout landed him third place on thirty one points.
Swift – sprite 
Pete Reed – good to see him back! 
Expert winner – Hay 
Intermediate 2nd place – Halford
A bit more variety in Intermediate class resulted in three manufacturers in the top three: Paul Cook (FB), Jim Teague (BSA) and Kevin Walker (Triumph). Just two stray dabs blotted Cook’s score sheet, picked up on possibly the two toughest sections of the trial. Teague finished on three points lost – close but no cigar! Walker proved to be the come-back kid, despite taking a beating last week he came back strong to take third place on seventeen points lost.
Expert class was another close-run affair this week: Steven Hay, Paul Howells and Kev Taylor making up the podium with a three point spread. Hay snatched first place with his first hard-won clean of the season. Howells dropped one mark with a dab in the rocky section six costing him dearly. Taylor too came un-stuck by section six, dropping both of his two points there.
On form- Walker 
Partridge looking tidy in section 6
Once again, we were blessed to be able to run and by the hard work and commitment of the organisers, helpers and observers – the spirit of trials shining through!
Next trial is: 4th October 2020. Pete Reed. Pattingham WV6 7DY Signposted off A454 Wolverhampton to Bridgnorth Road, between Shipley and Rudge Heath Island.
PLEASE NOTE: Covid restrictions mean on-line advanced entry only (no entry on the day) and unfortunately no spectators. Please visit the online entry page HERE or contact info@bmca.org.uk for assistance or queries.
Abbreviated results:
Expert class:
1 STEVEN HAY (BSA) 0, 2 PAUL HOWELLS (BAN) 1, 3 KEV TAYLOR (C15) 2, 4 BILL WOODCOCK (BAN) 4, GARY HAWKINS (BSA) 5, 6 CHRIS DENNEY (BAN) 9, 7 DAVE WOOD (C15) 12, 8 STEVE GOLLINGS (VIL) 12, 9 MICK PARKES (BAN 14, 10 ANDIE SWIFT (SPR) 15, 11 LAURENCE ALDEN (BAN) 18, 12 ARTHUR BROWNING (VIL) 20, 13 PETER REED (TRI) 44.
Intermediate class: 1PAUL COOK (FB) 2, 2 JIM TEAGUE (C15) 3, 3 KEVIN WALKER (CUB) 17, 4 SCOTT PARTRIDGE (CUB) 18, 5 MIKE BUTLER (BAN) 33, 6 MARK STRONG (BAN) 33, 7 ALAN HALFORD (CUB) 34, 8 TONY HILL (BAN 34, 9 LUKE STRATTON (BAN) 38, 10 IAN BRITTAIN (RE) 44, 11 DAVE THOMAS (ARI) 48, ERNIE JOHNSON (C15) DNF
Clubman class: 1 STEPHEN LEYSHON (BAN) 22, 2 JOHN COPE (BAN) 29, 3 JOHN NYONS (BAN) 31, 4 DAVE HARRISON (VIL) 35, 5 SIMON WILLMORE (C15) 43, 6 JOHN DODSWORTH (COT) 73, RAY BARRETT (TRI) DNF, STEVE HAINES (CUB) DNF
Gentleman class: JOHN SHAW (BAN) DNF.
Full results HERE.