Ombersley 08.12.2019

BMCA trial at Ombersley 08.12.2019

Report & media by Spanner.

We certainly saw some action at the latest trial in the BMCA calendar, Ombersley, organised and laid out by Joe Owen, Andy Hunt, Paul Howells and Luke Stratton. A cloud of uncertainty had hung over the fixture, heavy rainfall and the tall banks at Park Farm don’t mix too well. A window of dry weather in the week leading up to the trial allowed things to go ahead with a level of certainty that it should be ok. The sections were set out on the lenient side and often eased up after test riding, the easing off continued early on Sunday morning; Owen was up early and altering things due to rainfall during the night.

A modest entry of twenty-three braved the windy morning, but inevitably and understandably there were a few retirements, leaving eleven finishers in all. As the trial progressed either the ground improved of the riders found their mud legs; on-the-whole scores settled down after the challenging first lap, with just a couple of sections proving to be sticking points.

There was a variety of challenge, despite the scope being limited by there only being muddy banks to play with. The sections certainly tested rider’s traversing skills, confidence and a careful throttle were a definite requirement. Of course, the familiar favourite hill-climb and section at the end of the bank were as good as ever, seemingly unaffected by the rain.

Expert class this week was composed of just three riders; Nathan Jones, Bill Woodcock and Lawrence Alden. Jones and Woodcock fought it out for first place, each of them putting in class leading performances on several sections; it came down to a slim two-point lead for Jones – well done both! Alden couldn’t quite keep pace this week, but still put in a creditable performance.

Suffering the highest casualty rate, the twelve entrants in Intermediate class fell to five finishers. Hopefully the turn of phrase doesn’t turn out to be literal. Kev Walker suffered two bad falls on section eight, but thankfully seems un-phased, quoting Arnie and saying “I’ll be back”! The top three finishers were Alan Halford, Tony Hill and Mark Lucas. Halford continued his run of impressive performance, taking first place eleven points ahead of the competition. It was close competition between Hill and Lucas tied on seventy-four points, meaning most cleans came in to play, awarding Hill second place.

Clubman class lost two entrants, leaving six in the running. Harrison dropped out after hearing disconcerting engine noises and headed home to get the spanners out. Podium places this week went to Steve Leyshon, Martin Mackenzie and Steve Haines. Leyshon rode very consistently, keeping his average score down and boosted by a couple of class leading scores on section four and eight – not bad considering he was quoted as saying “I spent more time horizontal than on the bike!” . Just three points behind was Mackenzie, class leader on three sections but ultimately three points adrift. Haines took third place on seventy-seven, both the Cub and the rider on good form.

The best laid plans of mice and men….  it definitely seems apt to paraphrase Burns this week! The overnight rainfall had more influence than was possible to contend for. That said, the setting out was as good as could be in the circumstances and despite an ever-present chance of a five on practically any section, the trial ran its course well.

Thanks as always to the organisers, helper-outers, spectators and of course the observers; we owe you all a great deal, even Mick and Lui!

 

Abbreviated scores:

Expert class: 1 NATHAN JONES (BSA) 39, 2 BILL WOODCOCK (BAN) 41, 3 LAURENCE ALDEN (BSA) 72.

Intermediate class: 1 ALAN HALFORD (CUB) 63, 2 TONY HILL (BAN) 74, 3 MARK LUCAS (C15) 74.

Clubman class: 1 STEPEHEN LEYSHON (BAN) 53, 2 MARTIN MACKENZIE (BAN) 56, 3 STEVE HAINES (CUB) 77.

Full results HERE.

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