AS EVER, competition was fierce for the annual Mercury Cup trials competition, held at the challenging Haslett Sand Pit in Shorwell.

In the Premier class, Tom Richards won convincingly — dropping only nine marks during a difficult trial, keeping mistakes to a minimum. 

Alfie Haydon was the sole competitor in the youth expert class recorded a respectable 20 dropped marks, despite tumble over the bars in the second section. 

In the intermediates, Adam Morgan earned a superb victory with only four marks dropped in treacherous conditions. 

Meanwhile, in the over 50s, Simon Newnham won with a three-mark margin over Andy Scott-Jackson, whose fast riding style really came into play in the soft sand. 

Alan Gosden took Open C honours by piloting his newest acquisition, a Fantic 240 — a bike owned for just a week — riding confidently and beating all in his class. 

In the novices, Paul Kent, on his electric bike, won the class, despite dropping 34 marks. 

James Major was the sole competitor in the clubman class — riding confidently across eight sections on two routes. 

The adult beginners this week had three competitors, with a new winner, Michael Denness — taking the win with a score of 23, which left him in a league of his own out in front. 

With Harrison Crickmore having turned 16 years, it was left to Freddie Death to lead the way in the youth intermediates category. 

The youth beginners was yet again extremely close, with only a mark separating the top two riders, with Riley Baker taking the win with 61 marks dropped over Blake Buggy.