It was a Bridgnorth CC sandwich at the top of the standings in Round 12 of the SB Sports Injuries Series as two first-time entrants took first and third place – and Chris Riley sealed SB Veterans Gold in Bridgnorth CC’s sporting 10 mile event. Held on the Boningale to Shifnal course, riders faced a steady grind to the turn as new Bridgnorth CC member Tom Herbert took the win in 23 minutes 53 seconds, reflecting the unforgiving nature of this course. Herbert was surprised to take the win, pushing Riley into the Overall runner-up spot by 15 seconds after an early season written off due to an operation, as he explained: “Having come back from knee surgery earlier in the year I really wasn’t expecting much in general from my riding this year, let alone in a time trial Series. It’s a really well run grass roots event and I’d like to thank all involved for their time and energy in making it happen. I’m also very grateful for the help, advice and encouragement I’ve had from everyone in Bridgnorth CC this year, it’s been a real boost for me”.

Riley pronounced the event one of his favourites of the SB Series as he took maximum points in the Veterans category with +3:44, with that win giving him a vital lead that with three events remaining can no longer be overhauled by the rider lying in Silver medal position Jonathan Mills-Keeling. Riley was delighted to take the Gold, having his attentions focussed on other County Series until he realised that an SB medal was possible: “This course certainly is a challenge. A good buzz though, and it was great to see the colours of Bridgnorth en masse riding out and signing on. Thanks to the Bridgnorth for another tough round of the SB Series. I’d not targeted the SB, but as the season has unfolded an opportunity to take a medal did present itself. Gold is a rare but much cherished prize for a man of my ability. I particularly enjoyed the Hannah Phipps and Gordon Davies 19 mile races; the Ludlow Scenic 10; and the Bridgnorth 10. It’s a great Series, and so easy to enter – thank you to the SB organisers and the SCCA”.

Another first-timer Chris Childs helped himself to third spot in 24:15, pushing out one of four visiting Wolverhampton Wheelers riders for whom this course is nearby, Mark Spruce by eight seconds. He stated: “The local 10’s have been a great opportunity for me to get back into competitive cycling after a few years out, thanks to everyone involved around the County putting these events on. Well done to Tom Herbert who took the win, a new member to Bridgnorth CC, I’m sure there are more results to come”.

Just one Junior rode, with visiting 13 year-old James Saunders of Wyre Forest CRC ending his evening on a creditable 25:51 for 9th spot in a field of 16 riders.

Full:

Pos’nForenameSurnameClubCatTimePoints
1TomHerbertBridgnorth CCS23:5320
2ChrisRileyParamount CRTV24:0818
3ChrisChildsBridgnorth CCS24:1516
4Mark SpruceWolverhampton Wheelers CCV24:23.
5MattMorrisWolverhampton Wheelers CCV24:46.
6DaveAllenBridgnorth CCV25:0314
7George CoombesNewport Shropshire CCS25:1212
8MickDobsonWolverhampton Wheelers CCV25:36.
9James SaundersWyre Forest CRCJ25:51.
10PaulMulreadyBridgnorth CCV26:2310
11AndyJonesBridgnorth CCV27:248
12AshleyKirkhamWrekinsport CCV27:556
13CeriEvansStafford RCV28:29.
14JoshHillBridgnorth CCS28:374
15DaveClarksonWolverhampton Wheelers CCV28:59.
16Mark StocksNewport Shropshire CCV29:352

Veterans:

Vets Pos’nForenameSurnameClubCatVet +/-Vets Points
1ChrisRileyParamount CRTV+3:1020
2Mark SpruceWolverhampton Wheelers CCV+2:44.
3DaveAllenBridgnorth CCV+2:2718
4MickDobsonWolverhampton Wheelers CCV+2:01.
5MattMorrisWolverhampton Wheelers CCV+2:00.
6PaulMulreadyBridgnorth CCV+0:3816
7AndyJonesBridgnorth CCV-0:1714
8CeriEvansStafford RCV-1:17.
9AshleyKirkhamWrekinsport CCV-1:2312
10DaveClarksonWolverhampton Wheelers CCV-1:29.
11Mark StocksNewport Shropshire CCV-2:0510

Junior:

Junior Pos’nForenameSurnameClubCatTimePoints
1James SaundersWyre Forest CRCJ25:51.

Cumulative Standings after twelve rounds

Overall

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 182
2 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 118
3 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC V 90
4 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 78
5 Dean Callister Revolutions Racing S 74
6 Phil Roberts Wrekinsport CC S 56
=7 George Coombes Newport Shropshire CC S 38
=7 Mark Stocks Newport Shropshire CC V 38
=9 Ashley Kirkham Wrekinsport CC V 36
=9 Jack Wilson Ludlow Brewery RT V 36

Veterans

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 162
2 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC V 100
3 Mark Stocks Newport Shropshire CC V 92
4 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon WV 86
5 Ashley Kirkham Wrekinsport CC V 60
6 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV 50
7 Rich Smith Wrekinsport CC V 48
8 Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V 46
9 Jan Davies Hafren CC WV 42
10 Jack Wilson Ludlow Brewery RT V 36

Women

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 100
2 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV 58
3 Jan Davies Hafren CC WV 52
4 Kathryn Rossiter North Shropshire Wheelers WV 24
=5 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 20
=5 Thea Osmund-Smith Paramount CRT W 20
7 Vikki Jones Oswestry Paragon CC WV 18
8 Jess Bufton Hafren CC WJ 16

Juniors

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 126
2 Jess Bufton Hafren CC WJ 20
3 Chester Romei Paramount CRT J 18