Trials: Mayfield has the Phil-good factor after victory at Carlton Bank

Great Ayton’s Phil Mayfield appears to have regained his appetite for the sport before tackling another Scottish Six-Day Trial.

After a lengthy lay-off, he finally dispersed the cobwebs, rust and all other ailments, to settle and win Middlesbrough DMC’s trial at Carlton Bank.

In a three-lap, 10-section course held along and up the viciously steep valley sides of this venue, Mayfield headed the 70-plus entry by eight marks from Tom Wood.

Mayfield made sure of the win by producing the best ride of the night on the long, rocky gully of four - one mark lost - while Wood and Tom Alderson lost six and eight respectively. Wood fought back, however, and was the only rider to remain unpenalised on the final section.

Mark Shearer dominated the Clubman A class, never dropping a mark on the gully sections of three, four and five, with only Paul Sedman matching him on the fifth.

Andrew Gibson went for 11 there to drop him to the runner-up berth with the improving James Thompson third.

Old bikes were well to the fore in Clubman B as Mike Watson beat brother Seamus and, on his newly acquired 250 BSA, was the only rider to remain clean.

Colin Bailey’s chance went after the big Ariel’s back wheel kicked out on the rocky gully of the ninth for his only mark lost.

Evergreen former Grand Prix road race star Mick Grant pootled his little Bantam around as calmly as if delivering telegrams for a fine third place, level on points with Alistair Jackson on three marks lost, and Great Ayton’s David Brown brought the first modern bike home, just in front of Duncan McDonald on his superbly prepped Ariel.

Intermediate: Phil Mayfield (Gas Gas) 11, Tom Wood (Gas Gas) 19, Tom Alderson (Gas Gas).

Clubman A: Mark Shearer (Montesa) 6, Andrew Gibson 16, James Thompson (Beta) 21.

Clubman B: Mike Watson (BSA) 0, Colin Bailey (Ariel) 1, Mick Grant (Bantam) 2, Alistair Jackson (Matchless) 3.

Thirsk DMC’s trial at Long Plain Farm, Hambleton, brought the best out of father and son team, Henry and Stephen Suddes from Yarm.

Stephen - an occassional rider nowadays - just failed to grab the Premier by three marks from Shane Monkman - so dad Henry showed him how to wrap up victory by winning convincingly in the Clubman B class.

Mark Shearer, also from Yarm edged the Clubman A honours from Paul Dennis as Middlesbrough’s Alan Williams dropped off the pace.