Gaskell’s gaff costs jackson win
A five when he missed a flagged gate in the final section of the trial at the Plantation group cost Richard Gaskell victory in the Frank Jackson Trial organised by the Barrow Club at their popular Old Railway Line venue, Torver, just a few miles up the road from Coniston.
The stream section, this year a continuous double sub, a section used in various forms for many, many years is right at the easily accessible end of the old railway line and for some strange reason Gaskell turned out of the section, one flagged gate early when feet up and looking all the part of a potential winner. But it was not to be and his five mark penalty dropped him from a potential single mark victory in a tightly fought competition to third place – no mean achievement but not what could have been.
So the trial victory went to Tom Swindlehurst over Darren Brice by virtue of the greatest number of cleans as both finished the single lap event of 32 sections on 23 marks. The harder route was well populated with 16 prepared to enjoy the challenge which appeared to be of just the right severity as the winning score was sensible and the highest score remained in double figures.
Simon Brice. Anthony Hayhurst. Anthony Brockbank
The same could be said of the Green course which used most of the clubman sections and some of the harder sections as Philip Alderson, back into Cumbria for his Sunday challenge again went home as the Green course winner by a comfortable margin of seven marks from Robert Shuttleworth. Third was Andrew Payne whilst over the Clubman course it was Simon Brice who was best with a great ride, losing just 9 marks whilst Adam Brayton took second by the greater number of cleans from Anthony Brockbank, both losing 13 marks.
Despite a bitter morning with a covering of frost sparkling in the winter sunshine, nearly 100 riders gathered for this excellent trial which has gained a great reputation over the years. The name of the trial, Frank Jackson, a club member from many, many years ago, is retained through a regular competitor in the sport, Jackson Edwards who is his Great Nephew and who enjoyed an excellent event with some of his local pals, the group riding together and tackling the predominately rocky streams when they were at their slipperiest.
Full results are linked from the Home page and more Eric Kitchen pictures soon.