Forest frolics
By TMX Archives on 10th Nov 06
EARLY on a beautifully sunlit Saturday morning, 77 competitors, together with their minders, gathered at scenic Kilbroney Forest close to the picturesque village of Rostrevor, for McParland Trophy Trial, the third round of the prestigious Irish Trials Championship.
This was the first time a round of the competition had come to the district for a number of years and it attracted a high class field from all over Ireland. Organisers, Lisburn and DMCC, were quick to praise the Northern Ireland Forestry Service and Newry and Mourne District Council for all their help in making the event possible and providing excellent facilities for the competitors.
Riders set off in high spirits to cover four laps of the 12 sections course. Overnight rain had made some of the sections very slippery and resulted a generally high-scoring event, and a true test of rider and machine, as befits a competition of this stature.
Time was of the essence in the Grade A battle as riders, experienced at the highest level, found grip difficult to obtain. Former World Championship rider, Robert Crawford, dominated the opening laps, well ahead of Michael Burton and Gareth Andrews.
Michael and Gareth fought back in the latter stages as Robert tired and Harold McQuaid closed in on the pack ahead.
In the end, the event was decided on time penalties. With every rider in the grade finishing outside the regular time limit, the man to benefit was Crawford.
Despite finishing one mark behind Burton on observation, with only a further five time penalties, he managed to jump ahead of a disappointed Burton by a single mark to finish on 82.
Last year's winner, Gareth Andrews, fought to the bitter end, but ended up third on 87 marks lost, with Harold McQuaid closing to finish only six-marks adrift.
RESULTS
Grade A: Robert Crawford 82 marks lost, Michael Burton 83, Gareth Andrews 87.
Grade B: Jonny Hagan 88, William Dickey 90, Ben Braithwaite 92.
Grade C: Derek Lenehan 65, Paddy Lowry 73, Aaron Moore 74.
Grade D: George Robinson 15, Chris Houston 18, Yarno Holland 19.
Youth A: Jordan Scott 33, Simon Flood 43.
Youth B: Jonathon Lunney 37, Ryan Sailes 47, Andrew Morrow 53.
Youth C: Stuart Hanlon 5, William Getty 20, Andrew McCrory 45.
Youth D: Andrew Fleming 61, Kurtis Bann 73, Aaron Cathcart 84.
For full report, results and pictures see T+MX News, Friday, November 10, 2006