ONCE again Joe Rowe took the honours for Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club, winning the veterans' age group in round nine of the West Midlands Cyclo Cross League, at Daventry.

He continued his excellent season with eighth place and 10th overall in the National cyclo cross championships at Abergavenny on Saturday.

In his first cyclo cross season, Mick Gray came third in his veterans age group at Daventry, in rounds eight and nine, following a second place in round seven, and he currently is in 47th place overall.

Paul Sargent was 15th fastest veteran and 36th overall in round seven, while Elliott Dinsdale rode strongly in the seniors race to finish 20th in round nine, and 15th in round seven, to put him in 15th place overall.

On Sunday the first of the region's reliability trials took place with the VC Sevale 52-mile ride, through Malvern, Pershore and Tewkesbury.

Finishing in the first group were Wyre Forest riders Paul Prince, Dave Wood, John Callaghan and John Parker, who all came safely inside the three-hour time cut.

Nigel Williams, Karl Davies, Richard Pedersen and Sargent were in the second group, also well inside the time cut.

Alan Griffiths finished the 35-mile circuit to Tewkesbury inside the time limit.

The Wyre Forest club's reliability trial will be on February 20, and is open to all riders to gauge how their winter training is progressing.

Training rides continue every Sunday, leaving the Brindley Arms, Stourport at 9.30am for a 40-50 mile ride at a moderate pace.

Anyone is welcome - for further details telephone Pedersen on 07870 330435 or visit www.wfcrc.org.uk

l The Stourport Specialist Cycles race team were on form at the weekend in the first round of the downhill winter series at Hopton Castle, Ludlow. Pete Yates rode strongly for sixth in his debut in the seniors class, and Dave List came third after being promoted to the expert category.

Tim Grainger won the first round of the Leisure Lakes cross country winter series, at Preston.