Wyegate Trial 29/30th March 2008 Press Report
Report by Ben Falconer
A YOUNGSTER who had not even been born when the first Wyegate Long Distance Trial was run 25 years ago put in a ride beyond his years to win this year's anniversary event.
Aylburton's Henry Bendall is just 18 but he translated his Western Centre Trials Championship standing in to the older format of the sport exceedingly well.
Riding a traditional-style road-going Honda SL230, he hopped and flicked it around the 40-plus sections in the Wye Valley for the loss of 11 marks over both days.
He was the only rider to record single figures on a difficult Saturday, which was dominated by rain and two tough groups of sections at Rockfield and Pingry Lane. He led the first day on nine, and recorded the best score on day two of just two marks lost.
The trial however was more than about just one rider, as a full house of 120 entrants were eager to have their annual attempt at legendary sections such as Pant-glas, Ty-Fry, Limekiln and a host of others.
West Glos and Dean Forest MCC first ran the trial in 1983 and it has garnered a reputation as the country's premier long distance trial.
To mark the occasion, this year's Wyegate was run over two days and two separate courses starting from Berry Hill rugby ground. It reflected a huge effort by the club, spearheaded by clerk of the course Matthew Neale.
Several former winners were intent on taking top spot in this special year. Steve Grindle from Cinderford gave it a good shot on 17, to take best 250 to 450. Mike Husband lost 25, Keith Wells 26, and Steve Venn 27 - all very creditable rides.
The pre-65 awards were handed out for performances on Saturday only, and Stroud's Sam King snatched that with 10 marks lost, one ahead of last year's winner Paul Farley.
Pete Robson, riding a rigid Levis 500, lost 69 but won the admiration of many by bringing such a rudimentary machine round for a lot less than those on more suitable steeds. He took the rigid award.
Another talented youngster, Ben Bowkett from Cinderford, put in a creditable ride for 17 on a Triumph Cub, losing 13 of those marks on the last three sections at Pingry Lane. Longstanding Wyegate competitor Colin Hedges lost the same number of marks, though only four in Pingry.
Not every rider was on fancied machinery but some still shone. Jason Bendall from Lydney blasted his KTM 525 around for a total of 33, while another former Wyegate winner, Nibbs Adams lost 29 aboard his Honda XR 400. Brother Yoshi Adams, last year's winner, was marked down for 32 marks lost in the provisional results.
The club wishes to thank all landowners, observers and Berry Hill RFC for making the 25th Wyegate trial a memorable event.