Club stalwarts, race director and photographer Richard Bailey were on deck to ensure the smooth running of our races.
With six regular riders, it was decided to set off together, with young gun George Griffiths, Nick Woods and Cam Smith joined by new rider Luke Moore and Troy Griffiths back from injury, while Nick McNair managed to drag himself away from the rough stuff of gravel.
Early on it was Smith forcing the pace, with all riders staying in contact. Had Troy Griffiths recovered from his crash earlier in the year? His poker face made it difficult to ascertain, as he looked comfortable with the pace.
By mid-race the group split in two with George Griffiths, Woods and McNair riding clear, with Smith, Troy Griffiths and Moore now riding their own race.
As A-grade pushed on, they eventually lapped B-grade and the group of six reformed at times, making for confusing viewing.
Into the final laps, it was George Griffiths who made his move to cross the line first from Woods, with McNair in third.
In B-grade, it was Smith who broke clear from Troy Griffiths, with Moore riding strongly for third.
C-grade
The field looked strong in C-grade, with the explosive and unpredictable Will Kettle to go up against the strong diesel engines of Dave Faulkner, Mel Smolenaars, Georgie Jenkins and Matt Dobeli.
A first corner mechanical for Dobeli got the heart rate up as he sat out two laps to get his chain back on.
As if to script, it was Kettle who boiled early as he broke away with a strong move that took several laps to pull back, a warning to the bunch that they’d need to keep an eye on him at the finish.
Through the middle of the race, Jenkins looked strong, while Smolenaars barely raised a sweat.
The pace slackened and as the five-minute sign was raised, all riders sat up, waiting to see what the next move would be.
Dobeli’s initial attack was covered easily by Kettle and the bunch gathered, with Kettle exploding again into the final lap, but was eventually reeled in by Dobeli at the final corner with Faulkner breathing down his neck.
Into the line, it was Dobeli holding on by half a wheel from Faulkner, with Kettle in third.
D-grade
Initially five riders, John Jenkins, Jerrod Davison, Ray Hamilton, Paul Oman and Glen Kettle, set off to fight out the D-grade race, as Dave Oman drove into the car park on lap one.
With Dave Oman joining the race, it was Davison who rode clear to test his Tatura Classic-tapered legs before the bunch came back together.
After several more surges, Kettle and Hamilton found themselves in clear space to the rear with lots of work to do to stay in contact.
With five minutes to go, Dave Oman took advantage of the blending of C- and D-grades as he rode away from the mess, but once again order was restored, as all riders in the front group looked evenly matched and remained tightly bunched.
Would sprint sensation Paul Oman use his speed? Could Dave Oman, in fine form with his one-liners, cross the one line that matters? Had Davison’s recent training form set him apart, or would the quiet strength of Jenkins win out?
As the finish line approached, it was Jenkins who proved too strong from Dave Oman in second and Davison in third.
Congratulations everyone on a successful first round, and thanks to The Wren Courtyard Café for tonight’s prizes, your generosity is much appreciated.
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