THE rain did not deter 34 competitors from heading for Glusburn and the first Manywells Novice and Beginners trials championship of the winter months.

The Bradford organisers have six events pencilled in for the series which bears the name of the Manywell Garage at Harden.

The exposed acres of Manor House Farm did not deter also eight hardy observers who manned the sections with not so much as a tree or a bush to shelter from the downpour which turned the course into a quagmire in places.

Diligent section plotting by Jason Dunning generated low scores on the hard course, 50-50 and easy routes.

The long walk up to the first section was a tester for the observers has the large herd of cows preceding Lorraine and Glynn Tattersall turned the track into a mud bath.

The rain was falling and Lorraine’s necessary umbrella was back in the car a nearly as mile away.

Team Tattersall observed the two twisting rocky sections where daughter Francesca managed 13 of her score.

Lucy Ayrton attacked well and only a fleeting dab on the tight turn spoilt her final lap.

Outright hard course winner Shaun Lightfoot was line perfect in all eight section on all four laps.

Neil Oldfield, Jason Dunning, Richard Pearson and Brian Ayrton observed the distant sections out on the moor.

The top youth was Skipton’s Martyn Pearson, who matched Shaun Lightfoot all the way until he dropped a mark on lap two in front of observer Nick Jefferies who stepped in at the 11th hour to be involved and allow trials secretary Carena Carter to get on the with the mathematics.

Somehow the former road racing star had managed a round of golf prior to the trial.

One rider impressed with control of his refurbished Ossa was Michael Winstanley, who dropped five in the second section and a one and two in sections five and six out on the moor.

According to Michael it was his first ride on pristine Ossa.

As far as the Easy course six clean sheets resulted on six winners.

Just how Carena Carter placed them is a mystery. Was it good looks, correctly filled in entry forms or tendering the correct entry fee?

David Molloy was at the top of the spreadsheet while class boy and girl Harry Radcliffe and Summer Brooksbank were at the lower end with creditable section scores. At least the Bradford Motor Club managed to run their event.

Results: Hard course: Novices: Shaun Lightfoot (Vertigo) 0, Andy Brooksbank (Montesa) 3, Pete Hollingworth (Beta) 4.

Youth Class A: Oliver Winstanley (Beta) 2, Ethan Chapman (Scorpa) 3, Youth Class B: Martyn Pratt (Beta) 1, Josh Pearson (Beta) 3, Lucy Ayrton (TRS) 10.

Youth Class C: Harrison Lightfoot (Beta) 12, Jacob Reeday (Beta) 17, Jonnie Fannon (TRS) 43.

50/50 course: Novices: Michael Winstanley (Ossa) 9, Peter Russell (Yamaha) 12, Richard Giles (Beta) 16.

Easy course: Novices: David Molloy (Gas Gas) 0, Mike Frizzell Beta) 0, Stewart Wainwright (Montesa) 0.

Youth Class C: Harry Radcliffe 3, Summer Brooksbank 13. (All Beta) End. Huddersfield Falcon M.C.C. 8th Club Championship trial, California Quarries, Crosland Moor.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield Falcons 8th Club Championship Trial California Quarries Huddersfield Falcons resumed their club championship series last weekend at the exposed California Quarries overlooking the town.

In an experiment to try to boost entry numbers the club went for a Saturday afternoon date which sadly didn’t have the desired effect with numbers down again although the exposed nature of the venue and the threatened afternoon rain probably didn’t help. On a more sombre note the club were passing all proceeds from the trial to the wife and family of Chris Swallow, son of Bill Swallow who was killed while competing in this year’s Classic Senior TT on the Isle of Man.

Only two riders elected to ride the Championship Course which saw Wil Tolson recording an easy win over runner up Matt Jackson.

As he normally does, Tolson made light work of the rocks and climbs recording a final total of just six marks lost, the highlight being Tolson’s second lap which he completed without loss, in stark contrast runner up Jackson had cast away more than Tolson’s final total after only his first lap.

Results: Championship course. Will Tolson (Beta) 6, Matt Jackson (Gas Gas) 36.

Clubman A: Novices: Tony Heath (Beta) 7, Ben Francis (Gas Gas) 13, Ian Blackburn (Sherco) 17 mc.

Over-40s: Ian Hutchinson (Vertigo) 28, Ken Spooner (Beta) 46, James Whitham (Sherco) 73.

Clubman B: Novices: Paul Balmforth (Montesa) 3, Brandon Wilson (Gas Gas) 12 mc, Over-40s: Dave Morley (Sherco) 8 mc, Stephen Partlow (Beta) 8, Chris Wilson (Gas Gas) 13 Over-60s: Philip Dyson (TRS) 12,

Pre-65: Mick Grant (BSA) 6, Brian Cooper (Triumph) 35, Richard Plume (Montesa) 49. Twin Shock: Glyn Ridley (Fantic) 0.

Results: Championship course. Will Tolson (Beta) 6, Matt Jackson (Gas Gas) 36.

Clubman A: Novices: Tony Heath (Beta) 7, Ben Francis (Gas Gas) 13, Ian Blackburn (Sherco) 17 mc.

Over-40s: Ian Hutchinson (Vertigo|) 28, Ken Spooner (Beta) 46, James Whitham (Sherco) 73.

Clubman B: Novices: Paul Balmforth (Montesa) 3, Brandon Wilson (Gas Gas) 12 mc, Over-40s: Dave Morley (Sherco) 8 mc, Stephen Partlow (Beta) 8, Chris Wilson (Gas Gas) 13 Over-60s: Philip Dyson (TRS) 12,

Pre-65: Mick Grant (BSA) 6, Brian Cooper (Triumph) 35, Richard Plume (Montesa) 49. Twin Shock: Glyn Ridley (Fantic) 0.