THERE were 78 competitors for Sunday's Johnson trophy trial organised by the Seaton Delaval Motor Club at Thorneyhough Farm, Pauperhaugh, near Rothbury, Northumberland.

The event was run over four very wet, muddy laps after overnight rain and showers during the event.

Colin Ward, riding a Sherco, came out top of the expert class by a margin of six marks from Gary Pears on his Nigel Birkett Yamaha, but the eventual outright winner was James Harland, riding a Gas Gas, who took the intermediate class for a loss of just 19 marks.

Harland was particularly outstanding on the twisting climb through the trees at the second section where he stayed clean on all four laps, while Ward dropped two on the second lap and three on the last.

Results. - Experts: 1 Colin Ward (Sherco) 23; 2 Gary Pears (NB Yamaha) 29. Intermediates: 1 James Harland (Gas Gas) 19; 2 Paul Battensby (Sherco) 34; 3 Eddie Aitken (Sherco) 36. Novices: 1 Ian Rutter (Scorpa) 46; 2 Tony Hodgson (Sherco) 48; 3 David Humble (Scorpa) 62. A-class: 1 Lewis Peart (Beta) 56; 2 Jamie Reid (Beta) 68; 3 Steve Edmundson (Montesa) 105. Clubmen novices: 1 Trevor Newton (Beta) 34; 2 Mike Collins (Sherco) 62; 3 Tim Skipsy (Scorpa) 64. B-class: 1 Chris Haney (Gas Gas) 49; 2 Carl Hollis (Gas Gas) 66; 3 Dale Robson (Scorpa) 75. Twin shock: 1 Stewart Armstrong (Honda) 49. Easy course, novice: 1 Neil Robinson (Montesa) 16; 2 Colin Lee (Sherco) 21; 3 Colin Ward snr (Beta) 23.

The Ilkley Motor Club held their West Yorkshire Group trial on January 4 at Dobb Park, Otley, where the Yeadon and Guiseley group scored a clear win from the Richmond group, with the West Leeds group in third place.

Results. - Overall: 1 Ben Hemingway (Beta) 1; 2 Martin Crosswaite (Scorpa) 8; 3 Henry Moorhouse (Gas Gas) 8; 4 Stan Ludgate (Beta) 9; 5 John Sunter (Montesa) 22; 6 Philip Alderson (Sherco) 27. Group results:1 Yeadon & Guiseley 201pts; 2 Richmond 83; 3 West Leeds 42; 4 Wetherby 38; 5 Spen Valley 25; 6 Bradford 22; 7 Craven 11; 8 Horsforth 10.