The annual Wightlink two day trial was held last weekend at Knighton sand pit on Saturday and Cheverton chalk quarry on Sunday.

This years event attracted the largest entry for many years, with riders coming from all over the country and the channel islands. Blessed with perfect weather from start to finish, the trial ran like clockwork, with only a few retirements.

The first days action kicked of with the reigning southern centre trials champion Andy Blackman establishing an early lead over National clubman competitor Wayne Holdsworth

The Isle of Wight champion Jack Ayres wasn't going to let these two have it all there own way with some amazing performances in the woods where steep climbs and near vertical drops were testing the riders abilities to the limits. The Highlight of the first days action was the graded hill climb which attracted many spectators, they saw only the best of the entry reaching the summit during the course of the day.

Island girl Becky Cook was one of those that did reach the top on her BVM Gas Gas, and with former two times winner of this event Alan Stay on hand doing the minding, she ended up leading the Intermediates on the first day. 11 marks behind Becky came another islander to have won this event in 1978 Bun Symes. James Stay on a borrowed Montesa was leading the clubmans class with an outstanding ride, heading Andy Ball who is currently leading the southern centre clubmans championship, James maintained the lead throughout the two days to come out on top and win the clubmans class trophy and beating over 40 other riders in the process.

At the end of the first days action E.Oldaker from Bexleyheath was leading the 14 strong novice contingent 8 marks ahead of selbourne rider T Cousins. While a strong youth entry was headed by S Will from Crowthorne in youth A, Islander Will West in youth B, and JLI Beta rider George gosden having one of his better days to head Chris Stay in youth C.

In the evening everyone headed for the Brickfields charity arena trial that saw around 700 spectators, but this would spell desaster for Kevin Nolan who was lying in four place over night, Kevin burnt his clutch out in the arena trial and was unable to ride on day two.

Bright sunshine greeted the riders early Sunday morning at Cheverton chalk quarry where a three lap course of 15 sections consisting of large rock steps, shear climbs and drops awaited the riders. All was going well for Phil Whiffen until lap 2 when a 'jammed throttle" caused him to crash on a large rock resulting in his unfortunate restatement, and a nasty gash to his lower leg. Despite all of Wayne Holdsworth's efforts in posting the lowest score on the second day of only 17, this wasn't enough to over come the advantage Blackman had gained on day one.

After completing some 90 sections over the two days the top two finished on 30 each, with Blackman taking the win having cleaned 76 sections to Holdsworths 70. Local rider Jack Ayres couldn't match the top two's performance, but third place was his best ever result in this trial. Brimming with renewed confidence from his victory in Saturday nights arena trial, local rider Lee Haydon went on to finish 4th overall.

Best expert Guernsey rider was Tom Scott who made the trip across the channel worth while to finish in 6th place. Will West continued his good form through Sunday to walk away with top spot in the youth B class. In Will's tyre tracks his farther Stewart rode his yamaha consistently well over the whole weekend to victory in the twinshock class dropping only 44 points. Riding in his first ever two day, George Gosden rode brilliantly from start to finish and has now taken the lead in the southern centre youth C championship, runner up in the trial puts Chris Stay second in the championship with another local rider Jim West coming home in a brilliant third place.

The club would like to thank Howard Jacobs who won the pre 65 class for helping to put the trial on, Christine for all the paper work, Roger Morgan and Dave Newnham for the use of there land.

RESULTS>

EXPERTS 1 Wightlink trophy Andy Blackman 30. 2 Wayne Holdsworth 30 3 Jack Ayres 42 4 Lee Haydon 65

CLUBMAN

1 James Stay 17 2 Andy Ball 22 3 Rory Stephens 26

INTERMEDIATES

1 Becky Cook 25 2 Bun Symes 40 3 C fisher 43

NOVICE

1st E Oldaker 26 2 T Cousins 42 3 James Major 45

Twin Shock

1 Stewart West 44 2 Alan Gosden 50 3 Ben Morgan 57

Pre 65

1 Howard Jacobs 74 2 Nigle Crouch 132

Youth A

1 S Will 123 2 N Wright 314

Youth B

1 Will West 22 2 Josh Stephens 66 3 Tom Haydon 78

Youth C

1 George Gosden 29 2 Chris Stay 60 3 Jim West 63.