The Downend Cup trial was held at Apse Down, Calbourne on Sunday 8th April, courtesy of Mrs Jane Ball. The Club would like to thank her for welcoming us back to this excellent venue. We would also like to thank the Course Setters; Alan & George Gosden, Simon Newnham and Malcolm Hawkins who between them cleared the ground to produce eight top sections and to all the Observers who turned out on a very wet and drizzly afternoon. The Club would like to welcome new member David Craven, not the easiest of trials to start on - but we hope he enjoyed the experience and look forward to seeing him again soon.
There was a question mark hanging over this trial, following all the very wet weather in recent weeks that had saturated the ground. The decision to go ahead was taken on Saturday morning after a few decent dry days which helped to dry the access route. However there was another prolonged downpour during the early hours of Sunday morning that resulted in a tougher than planned trial, which undoubtedly led to the lower than usual turnout. We were determined for the trial to take place as it brings the first half of the Winter Series to a close.
Most of the riders scores would be the envy of many cricket players - but this proved to be a very good practice session for the forthcoming Wight Two Day Trial on 21st and 22nd April. Entries for the event will close on Saturday 14th April – if you plan to join us, you have just a few days left to get your paperwork sent in!
Only two Youth riders in action at what was a very slippery and greasy Apse Down. Young Alfie Haydon (Youth Novice) did very well to compose himself, after parting company with his bike on the tricky downhill part of section two, and with a determined effort finish the trial for a loss of seventy-nine. Meanwhile Dan Locke (Youth Beginner) with another determined ride completed with a total of eighty-one. Excellent effort by both riders. Joe Taylor once again finished the trial with the lowest score of the day dropping only thirteen marks to take the win in the Adult Beginners. New member, David Craven in his first trial persevered despite the conditions to earn himself a good second place.
Expert rider; James Stay seemed to really enjoy the testing conditions and although he was unopposed posted a pretty competitive score to claim another ten Championship points. Ben Read emphatically stole the show in the Intermediate class dropping just fifty-nine, nearly eighty marks clear of his nearest rivals, Alan Gosden and Malcolm Hawkins who were tied on one hundred and thirty-eight! Alan was awarded the second spot by notching up more ones. Simon Newnham faired slightly better on the B route dropping one hundred and six in the Sportsman class. Birthday boy Scott Milton celebrated his win in the Clubman class by sharing a rather large chocolate cake (which was considerably smaller when he left). Scott finished just four marks ahead of Ben Brodie in second and Phil Chase in third – some very close riding involved here.
The Novice group of riders saw Colin Brodie take the spoils finishing eleven clear of Rob Baker in second with Paul Kent forced to settle for third on this occasion. Returning rider; Jon Read won the Sportsmans from Stuart Gummer in second and Mike Taylor in third – again, some really competitive riding between these three.
The Club next meet in two weeks-time for the Clubs flagship event – The 2018 Wight Two Day Trial. We have an entry of over 130 riders which will produce some excellent spectating. Saturday April 21st at Knighton Sandpit (11am start) and Sunday 22nd at Bembridge down, starting at 10am. All the details are available from the Club website. Spectators are very welcome with free entry. Entries for riders close this coming Saturday, 14th April – time is running out!