Richmond really took the lid off a can of worms on Sunday at Park Gate Farm where the penultimate round in the ACU Ladies and Girls Trials Championship threw up some predictable results after what turned out to be a very traditional trial with a real assortment of sections ranging from limestone outcrops to grassy climbs and narrow shallow stream beds. All went well with no hassle but some lofty scores were seen in the Wensleydale sunshine. It was a good day at the office for multi national champion Becky Cook.
The Isle of Wight champion turned in a fourteen, five and ten score to win and lift the twenty championship points, and she did what she had to do, win. Emma Bristow started the day leveling with Cook on seventy four points so either just had to win. Even so the drop scores kick in and it could be final round winner takes all so those three points that Becky has pulled at Parkgate could just make it a done deal. It is a straight fight in the premier class but Donna Fox and Katy Sunter were right on target. Donna clocked off only thirteen behind Emma B.
The Louth Ossa number one was on seventeen after the first lap, Cook was three under that score, then Emma got fired up a seven after four marks on the grass climbs. The third lap was the let down. The final section under the wall was hard with grassy cambers and a right turn with little room to spare. By this time the rain had arrived with lightning, thunder and hailstones. That got Emma B for a five but the final sting was in the big rock at the top of the final section where she got the Ossa on it but got no further. By this time the grass climb to the rock was like ice. Cook got the bottom turn dead right and opted for the lush grass for grip, and it worked. Donna Fox flew her Beta on lap three to notch the only clean.
Nikita Smith got her Gas Gas up by just about carrying it. Mathematically the Fryup teenager has her hands on the Class A title with thirty two points in hand over Chloe Richardson but the latter has her drop score done and dusted.
In Class B Bristol’s Victoria Payne is stalking Hannah Richardson who is ten points up on her rival but the drop score is hovering over them at Horsforth in September. Mansfield Maun pride and joy Jessica Bown should be home and dry in the Inter championship with only Lancastrian Charlotte Kimber near.
Gabby Whitham should have Class C wrapped after Alice Minta did not compete but Berkshire’s Alicia Robinson was right on her case all the way.’Gabster’ had one mark in hand to win the class.