THE Spen Valley Motor Cycle Club staged a round of the RAS Championship series on Sunday at the Parkwood Offroad Centre in Tong.

Seventy-two competitors assembled to ride a four-lap 10-section trial course, where all Covid-19 rules were enforced to the letter.

The competitors were assembled in groups of seven and dispatched to different sections on the route.

The initial action kicked off alongside the angling lake with two mighty rock climbs, which stopped some but not others.

One section featured a vertical rock pinnacle which outright winner, Bradford's Charlie Smith, dispatched with ease.

The inters and easy contenders drove in the rock-strewn ditch, which halted sidecar contenders Gracie-Mae and Nigel Scott, as well as Anna and Chris Newsham, but both completed the course on reasonable penalties.

Section three dived into the vast ravine and up a vertical banking that served to propel competitors right across and up the fast-flowing stream.

The streams down in the valley, several of them, provided good, well-proven hazards.

Sections five, six and seven tested the main class. The inter and easy routes were right on the button, Paul Kettlewell and Mark Lodge winning their classes on low scores.

Smith excelled to beat John Hillam and Elliot Laws, while Will Tolson had one of those days to forget.

Elsewhere, Horsforth and District Motor Club's ninth Simon Green Engineers Championship was held in Greenhow in treacherous conditions.

It was a true test for the 61 competitors, from over-50s to tiny tots on petrol and electric-powered machines.

The youngsters, all 10 of them, competed over a modest but damp separate course of six sections, where Koby Smith, William Blackwell and Jacob Smith won their respective classes.

Three girls, all regular small wheelers, tested the boys. Alanna Eagleton journeyed from Huddersfield, while Evie-Rae Edmundson and Tia-Rose Wood contested the two easier classes.

Only seven riders contested the hard route. Shelf's Sam Boocock completed the 10 sections with a mere two penalties to head over-50s class winner Steve Fowler and Barnoldswick's Anthony Ayrton.

The trio signed off on single figure scores, with Boocock dropping his two penalties in sections five and 10.

Poor Leeds teenager Arran Sherwin crashed down section five from top to bottom and was also battered by his Beta machine.

Recently-retired Paul Jackson has been threatening the Clubman A ranks on his crisp 250 TL Honda four stroke and on Sunday, he did brilliantly to beat regular winners Robert Hardisty and Phillip Hammond.

The Class B scoreline was great, with Simon Cassidy winning on a score of six dabs from over-50s supremo Steve Wicks and Class B boy Jack Pullan.

The course planners excelled on Sunday, considering the torrential rain falling on Nidderdale on Thursday to Saturday.

RESULTS

Hard course:

Inters: 1 Sam Boocock (Sherco) 2, 2 Anthony Ayrton (TRS) 9.

Novices: 1 Adam Thornton (Vertigo) 28, 2 Jake Weatherill (Sherco) 75.

Youth Class A: Harry McLoughlin (Beta) 5.

Youth Class B: Arran Sherwin (Beta) 107.

Clubman A:

Novices: 1 Phillip Hammond (Sherco) 1, 2 Richard Pearson (Vertigo) 6, 3 Robert Berry (Vertigo) 9.

Over 50's: 1 Paul Jackson (Honda) 1, 2 Rob Hardisty (Sherco) 3 Neil Gaunt (Vertigo) 8.

Youth Class A: Lucy Ayrton (TRS) 26.

Youth Class B: 1 Joshua Pearson (Vertigo) 19, 2 Harrison Lightfoot (Beta) 28.

Youth Class C: Jimmy Crabtree (Beta) 45.

Clubman B:

Novices: 1 Simon Cassidy (Montesa) 6, 2 Sam Bailey (Vertigo) 16, 3 John Hindle (Beta) 29.

Over 50's: 1 Steve Wicks (Sherco) 8, 2 Jason Lee (Scorpa) 12, 3 Mark Grant (Beta) 14.

Pre-65: 1 David Brogden (BSA) 14.

Youth Class B: 1 Jack Pullan (Sherco) 12, 2 Flynn Collins (Beta) 43, 3 Alfie Carney (Beta) 44.

Youth Class C: Bobby Crabtree (Beta) 18.

Small Wheels:

Red route: 1 Koby Smith (Beta) 4, 3 Alanna Eagleton (Oset) 58.

Yellow route: 1 William Blackwell (Oset) 17, 2 Charles W Jennings (Oset) 49, 3 Evie -Rae Edmundson (Oset) 58.

White route: 1 Jacob Smith (Beta) 5, 2 Ellis Mitchell (Oset) 12, 3 Tia-Rose Wood (Oset) 23.

DIARY DATES:

Saturday:

Ripon Motor Club, Youth trial, Clockensyke Farm, Dacre, 12.00 noon.

Sunday:

Ripon Motor Club, Adult trial, Clockensyke Farm, Dacre, 10.30 am.

Hillsborough M.C.C. Club trial, T.C.C. Bradfield, 10.30 am.

Darlington Motor Club, Trial, Bridge End, Arkengarthdale, 11.00 am.