Report: S3-Parts Astley Cup

But the penultimate event was James's closest shave of the series, as fellow Sherco rider Luke Walker only missed out on nailing his first adult National win on a most cleans tie-break, after both riders contrived to drop just seven marks over the 31 separate sections.

James, who had already tied up the 2016 S3 Parts Championship, lost marks in just three sections, dabs in the tenth and 27th – neither of which were cleaned by any competitor – and a big five in the relatively easy 24th which was cleaned several times including a nice one by Tom Middleton. 

"I just stalled the engine, and thought that had cost me the trial,” said James at the end.

Luke avoided any maximums and cleaned that 24th but unfortunately dropped marks in four sections which cost him the premier and left him to ponder over where he could have saved the odd dab.

The Sherco duo finished well clear of Beta-mounted Richard Sadler – a late arrival at the trial following a week's holiday in Italy and a Saturday night out – and Dan Thorpe, who had been mountain biking the previous day with wife Katy in a big event staged at Reeth. 

Richard dropped two maximums, the second in the final hazard of the day, a real muddy slot. 

The Astley was staged in the picturesque Kentmere valley, located between Kendal and Windermere in Cumbria.

The course took  in a 20-mile loop featuring multiple groups of sections with real variety, including slippery banking climbs in woodland, equally slippery becks and all possible variations on Lake District rockery including some pretty impressive stand-alone boulders that took some conquering.

The S3 saw riders from many areas make the effort, including Scots Craig Houston and Andrew Anderson from Scotland and Welshman Joel Edwards.

Best local rider was Stephen Dixon, who finished eighth after initially struggling to get to grips with his 300 Scorpa after recently riding his 175 Whitehawk.

He said: "I kept forgetting there isn't a 10-second delay when you open the throttle.”

Nigel Birkett, eligible for the Over 60s these days, was frustrated at having been talked into riding the Championship class and was looking longingly at the Clubman hazards, especially after the big rock steps early in the trial.

Birks, though, was quite happy with the later becks and climbs.

The large Non Championship class saw occasional rider Rob Shuttleworth from Kendal turn out and show just how well he can ride a bike, dropping just three marks for the class win.

Only four riders kept their scores in single figures and Rob was followed home by traditional trial specialist, Gas Gas UK star Katy Sunter, who had an excellent ride by way of winding down from her mountain bike race sortie in her native Reeth the previous day. 

If any lads want to learn throttle control just watch Katy ride a bike.

Nick Shield completed the podium on his Beta, having a change from his Bultaco, Triumph, Majesty and assorted other options.  

Nick dropped just eight, the same as Martin Sandiford, the latter on a band-new TRS having recently become sole north west dealer of the Spanish machines. 

None of the top four dropped a maximum and every section was cleaned showing that the hazards were absolutely spot-on.

Richard Taylor finished in the top 10 on his venerable 349 Montesa twin-shock and young Oliver Ingham gave dad Lance a shoeing in the sections with a cracking ninth-place result. 

It was a superb trial and big thanks to all who contributed, landowners, observers and the course-marking team.