Report; Mendip Vale Turkey Trial
By Mick Perry on 29th Dec 15
RAIN drenched all the riders at the Mendip Vale Turkey Team Trial at Shipham in Somerset last week.
However, teenager Keiron Reeves, Martin Peters, Bob Hill, Richard Elliott and Ben Skinner were not minding too much as they headed home with over-ready turkeys under their arms by winning the three-lap, 12-section meeting.
They were 75 marks ahead of Finlay Cullum, Jason Hamblin, Cory Harris, Darryl Fortune and Georgio Papageorgio who received poultry as runners-up.
The rain, which came down like stair rods from shortly after the noon getaway, caused problems for the organisers, the hardy observers and the 57-strong field, which were divided into teams of five equal ability outfits as possible from those who congregated at the start.
Event secretary Andrew Leahy said: "Twenty failed to finish but we were pleased with the size of the entry, but the weather made the sections harder than planned and the going linking them in woodland was strength-sapping.”
Andrew hoped that those who retired would not be put off returning in future years.
However, most enjoyed it, including veteran Keith Richardson, Doug Cullingworth, Kristian Mitchell, Luke Shakespear and Ben Sinclair, all of whom gained awards of Chirstmas puddings or mince pies quoting the event as "just like the old-fashioned mud plug of years long gone.”
Several riders appeared in fancy dress and Bob Jefferies - the Christmas clown - was the winner.
Many sections were modified to keep the event moving but the second, sixth and tenth claimed high losses of marks and all featured climbs over gripless muddy tree roots and the diversions around trees.
Elliott and Skinner were closely matched right from the start and the lead changed hands several times until Skinner gained a marginal advantage on the final lap.
With dusk rapidly approaching a sausage and chip meal at a local pub was a welcome finale to what had been a test of skill and stamina.
RESULTS
Turkey winners: Ben Skinner, Richard Elliottt, Rob Hill, Keiron Reeves, Martin Peters 110.
Poultry winners: Georgio Papageorgio, Darryl Fortune, Cory Harris, Jason Hamblin, Finlay Cullum 185.
Christmas pudding and mince pies winners: Ben Sinclair, Luke Shakespear, Keith Richardson, Kristian Mitchell, Douglas Cullingworth 289.
Fancy dress winner: Bob Jefferies (Christmas clown).
Individual awards: Ben Skinner (Gas Gas) 17, Richard Elliot (Beta) 18, Jon Bees (Beta) 24, Victoria Payne (Sherco) 31, Ty Kellett (Honda) 35, Barry Male (Beta) 41, Paul Manning (Beta) 43.
