SUNDAY saw the Darlington Motor Club in action at Dalton Woods, near Croft, with the fourth round of their trials series.

Run over four laps of ten sections on the steep hillside and bordered by the River Tees, a disappointingly low entry of just 33 riders tackled hard and easy courses.

After four laps of steep climbs and descents, Mark Willis (Sherco) and David Shield (Gas Gas) both managed to finish without loss of marks on the hard course. They were followed home by Paul Dennis on one, who just beat Gerald Richardson (Beta) on furthest clean.

On the easy course, Simon Risby (Beta) parted with just two to beat Nicky Ferguson (Beta) by a single mark, and John Sunley took the class win in the over-40s on a score of ten, well clear of Peter Hayles (Montesa), who finished one mark ahead of Peter Bedlington (Gas Gas).

Results. - Hard course: 1 Mark Willis (Sherco) 0; 2 David Shield (Gas Gas) 0; 3 Paul Dennis (Gas Gas) 1; 4 Gerald Richardson (Beta) 1. Easy course: Clubmen: 1 Simon Risby (Beta) 2; 2 Nicky Ferguson (Beta) 3; 3 Graham Williams (Gas Gas) 4. Over 40: 1 John Sunley (Scorpa) 10; 2 Peter Hayles (Montesa) 21; 3 Peter Bedlington (Gas Gas) 22. Twin shock: 1 Joe Simpson (Yamaha) 3. A-class: Joe Forrest (Montesa) 3. B-class: 1 Robert Sherpson (Sherco) 3; 2 Jason Ayre (Sherco) 14. C-class: 1 Brandon Tempest (Sherco) 6.

The next Darlington trial will be on June 12 at Fremington Edge, near Reeth.

The Stanley Trials Club ran the first round of their four-round series of trials at Buttsfield Quarry last Saturday, when a low entry of only 40 tackled four laps of a ten-section course.

Gary Bloodworth rode his Montesa well, winning on the easy course with the loss of just one mark, finishing furthest clean from John Charlton (Gas Gas), who also lost just one mark. They were followed home by Geoff Robson (Scorpa) with two.

On the very easy route, Colin Ward senior (Gas Gas) had no problem completing the trial without loss of marks to lead James Black (Gas Gas) home on two, with Liam Wight (Sherco) and Dave Watson (Gas Gas) a further one mark down.

There were also a few TY80s taking part and John Battensby (Yamaha) ran out the winner on the hard course on eight, four marks clear of Dave Watkins (Gas Gas), with S Turpin (Beta) on 19 MC from R Bolt (Yamaha). TY80 easy saw T Ward (Gas Gas ) and J Metcalfe (Yamaha) both complete the course without loss of marks.

The next event for this new club will take place on Pea Farm, Stanley on June 4.

* This year's Scott Trial looks set to go ahead after the Government announced a change in land use regulations this week.

It was feared the famous event would have to be cancelled after Defra changed the way landowners receive subsidies, but the publication of updated guidance appears to have lifted the threat.