THE annual Scott Trial, the highlight of the year for the sport of motor cycle trials, took place last Saturday at Feldon, high above Richmond.

The 195 competitors started at 20-second intervals to attempt to ride more than 80 miles around the rocks, bogs and streams of the dales.

As if that wasn't enough, more than 70 observed sections up waterfalls and sheer rock faces took marks off the riders. The event, which is a time and observation trial, is a real test of man and machine with competitors having no time to rest. It began in 1914 when Alfred Scott, maker of the famous Scott machines, challenged his employees to ride a point to point course on the nearby moors.

This year's entry came from all parts of the British Isles and included several riders from abroad - Robert Howard (USA), Jan Cardinaels (Belgium) and Marc Tdissier (France).

There was disappointment for Graham Jarvis, who had been out to win his fifth successive Scott, but was beaten by a single mark by Wayne Braybrook of Burnley.

Only 82 of the original 195 finished the event, which was run for the tenth time by Richmond Motor Club in a very professional manner.

Results. - Alfred Scott memorial trophy: W Braybrook, Burnley (Montesa), lost 5 on time, 17 on observation; Raymond Bailey trophy: G Jarvis, Summerbridge (Sherko) 5, 18; Raspin challenge bowl: 1 I Austermuhle, Pickering (Beta) 4, 41. Folbigg cup: 1 B Hemingway, East Keswick (Beta) 17, 35. Galloway cup: A Bilbao, Barcelona (Montesa) 30, 25. Karthouse trophy: J Lampkin, Silsden (Montesa) 20, 37. 1977 Silver Jubilee trophy: H Moorhouse, Leeds (Gas Gas) 0, 58. 1st class awards, Scott's spoons: 1 S Connor, Twickenham (Montesa) 62; 2 P Alderson, Woodhall (Bultaco) 63; 3 D Hemingway, East Keswick (Beta) 63; 4 D Thorpe, Chesterfield (Gas Gas) 69; 5 J Baker, Lynton (Bultaco) 72; 6 R Crawford, N Ireland (Beta) 76; 7 M Phillipson, Crook (Beta) 83; 8 N Wrigglesworth, Keighley (Bultaco) 89; 9 J Shirt, Buxton (Gas Gas) 90; 10 J Noble, Guiseley (Montesa) 91.

Despite taking place on the day after the Scott Trial, the Bedlington Motor Club had 77 starters for the fifth round of their Bell Trucks trials series at Hope Farm, Long Framlington, Northumberland, where John Crinson repeated last year's win.

Running him close was young B-class rider Kirk Vitty, who finished second overall just seven marks adrift after four laps of a ten-section course.

Results. - Experts: 1 John Crinson (Beta) 30. Intermediates: 1 Gary Younghusband (Beta) 60; 2 Roger Clark (Montesa) 62; 3 Paul Battonsby (Aprilia) 69, B-class: 1 Kirk Vitty (Gas Gas) 37; 2 Mike Lee (Montesa) 81. Modified course, clubmen: 1 Ray Crinson (Beta) 51; 2 Tim Skipsey (Scorpa) 65; 3 Phil Graham (Gas Gas) 58. Easy riders: 1 John Palmer (Montesa) 4; 2 John Nixon (Aprilia) 16; 3 Steve Palmer (Montesa) 18 Pre-65 (all on BSA's): 1 Eric McMeekin 21; 2 Bill Emmerson 35; 3 Colin Barrie 39. Twin shock: 1 Joe Pattinson (Honda) 36. A class: 1 Darren Palmer (Beta) 52, B-class: 1 Ian Hedley (Gas Gas) 40; 2 Scott Cousins (Beta) 45; 3 Darren Ridley (Gas Gas) 46. C-class: 1 Scott Fenton (Bultaco) 31