The Bewdley MCC held the second round of their Clubman and Beginners trial, at Shatterford on Thursday 23rd July and once again the weather was kind, allowing the clerk of the course to use the all the woodland venues banks and tight turns. Another large entry, including fourteen youth riders, competed on three routes and competition was intense for each of the leader board positions.
The A route saw visitor Shane Harvey (Sherco) and Kidderminster's Stuart Matthews (Gas Gas) locked in an event long battle, with both riders maintaining clean sheets, to head the leader board. Andy Richardson (Yamaha), lost a single mark on his first of four visits to section eight, observed by long-time member of the club Mick Lamb, whilst ex British Championship road racer Tom Hanks (Gas Gas) manged to maintain his one mark advantage over ex international grass track passenger, Stourport's Jeremy Price(Beta).
Competing on the B route, former enduro competitor Graham Greaves (BSA) and Dan Cole (Gas Gas) both maintained perfect rides, to go clean. Third position had to utilise the tie break between Craig Godfrey (Gas Gas) and former jockey, Michael Wilding (Beta). Losing only one mark each, the Gas Gas rider held his nerve until losing a mark on lap three, whilst Wilding began the event by losing his solitary mark on his first visit to section one. But the B route ride of the evening belonged to schoolboy Luke Pearson (Beta). Grandson of former British Trials Sidecar Champion John Pearson, Luke rode impressively throughout the event and finished on a score of just two marks.
The C route saw visitor Paul Bennett (BSA Bantam) gain a two mark winning advantage over local rider Pete Rainsford (Montesa), was making a comeback after a recent arm operation. But again, it was a close finish between the Montesa mounted rider and the ever improving schoolboy Oscar Pattinson riding an electric powered OSET. In only his second full year in the sport, Pattinson managed a comfortable ten mark advantage over Zach Reynolds riding another of the OSET electric powered machines.
A special thanks to all the observers, club members, all the refreshment team and route markers (Kev Taylor + Jim Teague), without these guys the trial just would not happen.
Paul Hooper