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Southern & Midlands H&H Championship
Round 2 - Chacombe
Report Tim Tighe
Photos Tilde Tighe 

The newly established Southern & Midlands H&H Championship is gaining momentum and popularity as it progresses. Round 2 was held at Chacombe last Sunday and it drew an impressive cross section of riders, from Elite to Youth, to compete over one of the best XC courses in the country.

Organised and run by Enduroland, this event proved to be a cracker. The remnants of heavy overnight rain cleared just before racing began and a cautious approach was the order of the day for the first few laps. Many of the relatively easy banks and off-camber corners had become very challenging and there were a few log-jams initially but sunshine and a slight breeze soon put things as they should be and the going developed into grippy and predictable as the three hour race progressed.

Chacombe’s wide variety of terrain really gave riders something to go at. Starting with a flat looking field which, upon closer inspection, revealed thousands of bumps and lumps the course continued along a hillside with sweeping off-camber turns and climbs, up rooty banks and off into the distance where Chacombe’s steep hidden valley lies. Some of the steepest climbs were taken out before the race started but even the ones that were left in proved to be a challenge to many riders. Full commitment was needed to make it to the top.

The course twisted and turned back towards the start through woodland sections broken by slightly boggy open going in places.

Right from the start the battle in the Elite class was on between the Bowden boys, Ash and Jacob, although team-mate Luke Rudd beat both of them to the first couple of turns but, returning from injury, Rudd dropped back slightly as the Bowdens charged ahead. Not only was it a battle of brothers but a 2t v 4t battle as well. On the long and fast straights Ash’s 4t definitely had the edge but as the pair hit the tighter stuff Jacob’s lighter and more manoeuvrable 2t came into its own, the lead swapping constantly throughout the race but it was always clear that one of these two would win, they lapped the entire field. Jacob just had the edge over the final few hundred yards to the finish flag, but only slightly. Ash took second with Luke Rudd claiming a solid third spot.

Further down the field it was a case of age versus youth as Ryan Griffiths and Brad Lilburn fought for overall positions. Griffiths headed the Veterans class while Lilburn topped the Clubman. The pair were glued together for over two and a half hours and even though they stopped for fuel at different times, within a lap they were back together. It proved to be great entertainment. Lee Allis-Smith took second in the Vets with Lee parry in third while Rob Higgs followed Lilburn to the flag to claim second place in the Clubman ranks as a great ride from Josh Buckley boosted him to third in class.

Also entertaining was the mass of riders stuck at a sharp slope in the woods on the opening lap. Just a small 20 metre loop of track stumped them and they were directed to cut across the tapes and re-join the track further on but young James Dover in the Youth 14-17 class was having none of it. He plugged away until he made the climb, despite his fellow youth competitors gaining an advantage. His efforts were not wasted as he went on to deservedly win his class as Charlie Goddard followed him home.

Phil Dearden took a solid win in the Master class as Tim Stoddard and Steve Cornelius fought for second and third places. Hayley Rilings made it a double by winning the Ladies class to match her partner Ryan Griffiths’ win in the Vets. Kate Robinson slogged it out to take second in the Ladies class with Stellina Fappani in third.

Les Hubbard headed a very competitive Sportsman class as Andrew Granger and Dean Smith upped their pace towards the end of the race to pressure Hubbard but were unable to catch him, the pair eventually finishing in second and third.

The BW85cc class was won by Jamie Reece, in a hard-fought battle with Tommy Clark and Nathan Upon, who took second and third spots.

As the weather improved, so did the course and by the mid point of the race conditions were perfect. A great course, laid out by the Enduroland crew, made for terrific racing at a superb venue.

Well done Enduroland.

Results