Report Ken O'Brien
Fine weather greeted a host of riders from many different Centres to contest the Norton Trophy for best Pre 65 machine on the White course.
Four laps of ten sections were plotted with hazards ranging from ditch crossings long climbs to muddy slots.
Time was of the essence though as an amber flood weather warning had been issued by the Met office and heavy rain was due at 1 o'clock.
Best Pre 65 and Norton Trophy went to Mick Clarkson 186cc Bantam with a loss of 39.
Section six Axfords Gulley was harder than it looked but Micks sixty odd years of Trials experience shone though with four excellent rides.
Pete Haines Beta 250 over from the Farnham Royal club also posted a score of 39 on the easy route and was the best Sportsman the winner out of eight contenders.
Pete had four great cleans at 'Hurworths Hazards' an old fashioned section comprising a series of slippy turns on a slight gradient before descending over an awkwardly growing low branch clutch and throttle control were of the essence to perfect a clean.
Best Sportswoman was Steph Tombling 125 Beta section ten a steep sandy Hill Climb, Steph was nearly inch perfect but on her second visit had to take a steadying prod on the penultimate turn.
On the Yellow middle route Alan Taylor 250 Beta was in a class of his own in the Clubman dropping 27 points.
Alan a renowned mudlark was in his element posting the best score at Roberts Copse 8 was his tally.
This section started with a third gear blast over a raft of timber and bog next a tightish turn over a fallen tree then a rooted gully and a lattice of roots to the ends cards.
Only 5 marks separated the next four riders and Mark Wallington 250 Sherco was runner-up on 54 although he was by far the best on section five steeling the limelight with two superb ones and a couple of threes.
Adrian Steele was on the pencil sidelined after a recent hand operation this sub was a toughie a controlled slick drop then a flick over a tree next up was the Hill a 40 yard third gear blast and not for the feint hearted this was a Winter Trial special.
Glen Howard 300 Beta 57 points was third in class powering the big Beta to four spectacular threes burning the mud away to find grip much to the amazement of the crowd that had gathered.
Jim Morris took best Novice with some excellent rides on section 2 this 90 yard grassy hill was not as easy as it looked with a twist at the end it was worth the walk if a clean was required.
Jason Clifford a little ring rusty after a two year lay off still managed to ace the Twinshock class with a loss of 74 the little 200 Fantic doing the business at section 6 a very steep climb and sandy drop then a sharp right hander up over a slick rooty outcrop.
Although a primarily Novice type event an Expert route was available and a small but class entry were contesting this fairly stiff test of ability.
Sean McCullagh stepped up to the plate and blasted his way to victory losing a miserly 39 claiming " I didn't need bottom and second gear today "
Section 4 was a proper full on section let it go in third and keep the power on til the ends high in the top field a fair few never saw this amazing view of Oxfordshire.
Sean posted a one here first lap but had to settle for more hereafter.
Many thanks to all the observers and course plotting clientele.
White route
Norton Trophy Mick Clarkson 186 Bantam 39
Sportsman Peter Haines 250 Beta 39
Sportswoman Steph Tombling 125 Beta 69
Brit Bike Nick James 250 Dot 54
Wayne Hutton 230 Cub 59
Yellow Middle
Clubman Alan Taylor Beta 250 27
Mark Wallington Sherco 250 54
Glen Howard 300 Beta 57
Chris Aylott 260 Mont 58
Mark George 250 Yam 59
Peter Cook 250 Beta 62
Novice Jim Morris 250 Beta 69
Twinshock Jason Clifford 200 Fantic 74
David Hill 200 Fantic 106
Expert Sean McCullagh 300 Beta 39
Andrew Earnshaw 300 TRS 61
Ben Owen Beta 250 68
Peter Tombling 300 Vertigo 98