Report: Waterside JMCC
By Andy Withers on 24th Aug 16
Watersides latest Summer Series trial proved to be highly competitive in all classes with victories hanging on single errors at Harrow Wood Farm.
Sherco mounted Tom Copp narrowly took victory in a very strong expert field by being consistent throughout the four laps dropping just five marks overall.
However Ben Skinner on his Gas Gas made just one mistake overbalancing coming off the highest rock in section five to post a five which cost him the trial by three.
Eight marks covered the top four with Brian Francis and Mike Powdrell next up.
Copp, despite riding to victory, took time to coach Scott Stiles in one of his first expert rides on one or two of the more tricky sections.
Matt Sleep also made one error in the intermediate class, stalling during the second lap, but he held on to top spot from Will Frampton by six marks.
Four sections were set out in woods with long grass covering vehicle ruts, along with the heat this challenged the Beginners.
In the Over 40s Andy Gates showed great skill and concentration to beat Darren Howard's TLR Honda into second by two marks.
Howard was mad with himself for taking two dabs on section four and this proved costly.
In the Twinshocks, the first two sections with tight turns proved challenging for the group but Ringwood Club's Kevin Downer riding his fantic took victory ahead of prolific class leader John Miles' on his Bantam by two marks.
In the Beginners class Danny Orr and Steve Barratt resumed their rivalry from the main championship, with Barratt taking the win this time.
Orr on his four stroke Montesa completed the trial with a big grin but fell in section one on lap two costing him the victory by three marks.
Results
Experts: Tom Copp (Sherco) 5, Ben Skinner (Gas Gas) 8, Brian Francis (Gas Gas) 11
Intermediate: Matt Sleep (Montesa) 7, Will Frampton (Montesa) 13, Tony Lucas (Sherco) 36
Novice: Kieron Higgs (Montesa)
Beginners: Steve Barratt (Sherco) 3, Danny Orr (Montesa) 6, Nigel Goodman (Montesa) 14
Over 40: Andy Gates (Montesa) 2, Darren Howard (Honda) 4, Steve Cronin (Montesa) 12
Twinshock: Kevin Downer (Fantic) 11, John Miles (BSA) 13, Richard Harris (Yamaha) 24
