AN entry of 152 riders took part in Richmond Motor Club's annual Gerald Simpson memorial trophy trial at Wensley, near Leyburn, over one big lap of 40 observed sections.

The first section of any note was the second, a climb up a series of rock steps at Agglethorp Quarry where Nathan Cannell, riding a Beta, and Paul Sadler, also on a Beta, went clean along with Richard Shepherd on his Sherco.

On the easy route here, Willie Wood and Greg Moore, both riding a Gas Gas, got through clean, while Stuart Oughton on a Beta needed a single dab.

The course then moved further out to Forrest Gill for a series of sections in a rocky stream. Cannell needed two quick dabs, while Sadler had a five and Tony Wilson went clean. The best ride on the clubmen's route here came from Steve Currey, who parted with just one.

The next sections at Horse House were a narrow, slippery ride up a stream. Shepherd and Andy Tales stayed clean on all three sections, while clubmen Wood and Ian Haigh both lost five here.

After a lunch break at Horse House, it appeared that Shepherd was leading on three from Cannell and Philip Alderson on six each.

The steep hill climb further round near the end of the lap at Mount Pleasant saw Dave Suttill and Alderson go clean. From there, the course moved on to the last group of sections at Park Gate Farm where Graham Tales looked set to take the win.

But he had lost eight on time to end up as runner-up to Sadler, with Alderson third.

Results. - Experts: 1 Paul Sadler (Beta) 21; 2 Graham Tales (Beta) 23; 3 Philip Alderson (Sherco) 23. Intermediates: 1 Richard Shepherd (Sherco) 22; 2 Dave Suttill (Gas Gas) 24; 3 Tony Wilson (Gas Gas) 25. Novices: 1 Nathan Cannell (Beta) 17; 2 Gary Watson (Montesa) 27; 3 Richard Fawcett (Sherco) 33. Over 50s, easy course: 1 Stewart Oughton (Beta) 13; 2 Colin Davison (Gas Gas) 43; 3 Paul Lowther (Montesa) 47. Over 40s (all on Gas Gas): 1 Willie Wood 18; 2 Mark Wray 21; 3 Ian Haigh 28. Clubmen: 1 Greg Moore (Gas Gas) 19; 2 Martin Pratt (Beta) 28; 3 Joe Simpson (Bultaco) 29