Baker misses out again as Keelan makes light of the hazards

South West Centre trial champion Joe Baker had to be content with another runner up spot in the second round of the new series at the weekend.

He was edged into second place by Ricky Wiggins in last month's opening round and this time South Molton Scorpa rider Baker was beaten by Bodmin's Keelan Hancock at Bridgetown in West Somerset.

More than 100 took part in a three-lap, 12-section event at Hollam Farm, and it was the penultimate section, a climb over a series of steep banks and leaf mould, that brought about Baker's defeat.

He stopped in the hazard on his first two laps, which cost him ten precious marks. By contrast Hancock lost just one mark in his three visits there.

Keelan's elder brother Ross was actually in the lead on completion of the first lap, having lost five marks to Keelan's seven and Baker's nine. However Ross's second lap cost him a further 17 as opposed to Keelan, who completed the circuit without penalty to go well clear.

Simon James netted a two- mark win over Rob Smith in the Clubman expert class after gaining the advantage on the first section, and one mark separated the top three finishers in the Past Masters class on a slightly easier route. Four of the five award winners in the over 50 years class were decided by a series of tie-breaks after they had lost 14 marks apiece.

Tom Church from Bath, who retired from top flight motocross at the end of last year, retained his indoor Supercross title with a last round win at the LG Arena in Birmingham on Saturday night. After winning his qualifying rounds he led the final from start to finish with Jack Brunel and Adam Chatfield snapping at his heels.

Neville Bradshaw took the lightweight class title after he passed Nicholas Aubin on the last lap of the final to claim third place behind Chatfield and Brunel, which gave him an overall two point win.

An unnamed enthusiast paid £58,000 for a 1932 Brough Superior 680cc Alpine Black Shadow at an auction of more than 50 classic motorcycles that went under the hammer on the opening day of the Bristol Carole Nash Show at the Royal Bath & West Showground, near Shepton Mallet, over the weekend.

The collection was owned by Jeremy Chichester from the Nailsea area, which he had collected over a period of 50 years.

The show again attracted a record attendance, with Saturday being the more popular.

Exmoor MCC South West Centre Championship Trial at Bridgetown, West Somerset – Expert class awards: K Hancock (Gas Gas) 10 marks lost; J Baker (Scorpa) 16; R Hancock (Beta) 24; S Martin (Gas Gas) 31.

Clubman experts: S James (Gas Gas) 29; R Smith (Gas Gas) 31; R Wrayford (Honda) 33; M Thompson (Beta) 50. Clubman: S Dommett (Dot) 45; N Andrew (Beta) 65; A Strang (Gas Gas) 70; G Harding (Gas Gas) 83. Past Masters: J Atwell (Gas Gas) 49; M Champion (Gas Gas) 50; I Baker (Fantic) 50; Phil Wickett (Triumph) 61.

Novice: A Benstead (Beta) 15; T Heard (Yamaha) 17; M Aldred (Fantic) 21; S Marshman (Montesa) 22.

Over 50 years: E Pollard (Montesa) 7; G Mackie (Sherco) 14; S Thornhill (Beta) 14; M Jacobs (Beta) 14; M Burge (Fantic) 14. Youth awards – Experts: S Mortimore (Gas Gas) 46. A class: J Baker (Gas Gas) 85; B class: T Hooper (Beta) 39.

British Supercross Championship at Birmingham – Open class final: 1, T Church; 2, J Brunel; 3, A Chatfield; 4, N Bradshaw; 5, N Aubin; 6, D Strydon. Lightweight class: 1, Chatfield; 2, Brunel; 3, Bradshaw; 4, Aubin; 5, A Greedy; 6, Strydon. Final places after three rounds – Open class: Church 65 pts, Bradshaw 55, Aubin 50, B Anderson 47, Brunel 42, Chatfield 40. Lightweight class: Bradshaw 67, Aubin 65, Brunel 52, Greedy 46, Chatfield 45, J Dunn 40.