MasterCraft Rider League Stop 2, Treeton

37 entries in total and it wasn’t long before we were up and running with the practice set behind the awesome MasterCraft X-2 wake maker, courtesy of Brian Rook and Mike Clarke’s punctuality as always!

The new 40th anniversary boat was on display taking up prominent position and glistening in the sunshine. With Pro Coach and rider Stewart Mackie taking a back injury late last week, Carlos Fandango was promoted to coach for the morning sessions, offering out advice to the masses, which was all greatly received.

With a lot of riders to get through to be able to start the competition at 3.00 pm a mammoth task was in front of us all. But somehow the crew managed it thanks to some great driving, good jetty marshaling and more importantly constant supply of bacon and burgers to the boat crew!

So 3.00pm and as always straight into the Junior Ladies division with Tabz Nixon to ride first, the crowd got settled for the start and we were off, however just 2 tricks into her run, Tabz took a bad fall, somehow knocking her head, the X-2 returned to the dock with her on the platform and a bad gash to her head. With good support from the clubs first aiders we got her stretchered and back into the club house. An air ambulance was called and the crowd was deathly quiet. Once in the clubhouse Tabz, obviously badly bruised and shaken, could only question how many points she scored for the huge 180 beforehand, that’s commitment! A big thanks to Andy Grundy, Brian Rook, Ryan Davis, Debs Grundy and Jo Blenkinsopp for keeping their cool during the proceedings. However Simon had the job of getting the event back under way, so with nervous crowds and nervous riders it was back to the water action, Simon’s daughter Chelsea Waring was the next rider and managed to go out and complete 2 good passes to build up peoples confidence.

So with 6 junior ladies, 4 junior men division 2, 6 junior men division 1, 5 ladies, 7 masters, 8 open and 3 new division Outlaws riders, there was a lot to get through. Zoe Costigan last season’s overall winner returning for this stop took stop spot in the ladies, closely followed by newcomer Liz Wells. Junior Men 2 saw Kieron Clough and James Cook knocking disappointed top rider Charlie Long into 3rd place. In Junior Men 1 Jorge Gill went one better than last time taking stop spot with an awesome pass. 1st stop winner Elliot Lux having to make do with 3rd place this time, missing out on 2nd to newcomer Thierry Way from Church Wilne.

In junior ladies once again Megan Barker took top spot with newcomer to Rider League Nancy Creedy hot on her heels.

Masters men and all eyes were on Mike Heaton last seasons winner who had a bad run at Calmwater 4 weeks ago, could he be back on top spot?

With a bad 1st pass he had it all to do in his second, landing his tantrum but would it be enough. Unfortunately not Mr Consistency himself Mike Cook showing a full arsenal of 180’s and grabs to take top spot. New rider for 2008 making a return to competition was Andy Crolla taking 2nd with an awesome display of riding. Simon Hogg taking 3rd keeping him with some good points towards the total overall title.

Open men and with the promotion of Carlos Fandango AKA Carl Smith to the Outlaws division meaning promotion on points for all last stops riders it opened up the top 3 spots for anyone. Competition was fierce between Adam Oldfield, Lee Doyle, Nick Berrie and Nick Horsfall all following the trend of poor 1st pass but making it happen on the return leg!

Judging was close but with the worlds best judge Graham Creedy at the pen, everyone knew it would fair and true.

In the end it came down to the wire with Adam Oldfield just edging out Lee Doyle and Nick Berrie just taking third above Nick Horsefall, keeping the points total wide open with 4 stops to go!

In the outlaws which is the new division, last seasons Open winner Andy Harris returned back from riding cable in Australia all winter to go out and take home 2nd place from newcomer Anthony Meynell of Church Wilne. MasterCraft talent Carlos Fandango taking the gold!

So with the event wrapping up late everyone stayed around for the presentation and thanks. Treeton did a sterling job hosting the event, Jo and Peter Blenkinsopp, Ryan Davis, Andy and Debs Grundy for the bulk of the organizing. Perry Lux and Pete Watson for photography please see http://petewatson.myphotoalbum.com for photos. Brian Rook and Mike Clarke for driving and of course to Graham Creedy for judging.

The next stop on the tour is the MasterCraft Massive weekend with 2 stops over one weekend 12th of July will see the tour hit Welton Waters for the third stop, then that night the tour bus will move 15 minutes down the road to Billabong where BBQ, Camping and 2 Top International DJ’s will keep the crowd entertained, Sunday morning will see stop 4 take place and start seeing the riders placings take shape. Spaces are now very limited in terms of entrants for this tour so anyone interested who are not already registered please contact Carl Smith ASAP on 01977 674635. If anyone is interested in viewing, or helping out then please feel free to contact us or turn up on the day! Watch this space regarding pricing for camping pitches for the Saturday night.

FULL RESULTS:-

Junior Ladies
1st Megan Barker
2nd Nancy Creedy
3rd Eave Hogg
4th Lauren Grundy
5th Chelsea Waring
6th Tabz Nixon

Junior Men Division 2
1st Kieron Clough
2nd James Cook
3rd Charlie Long
4th Jack Wright

Junior Men Division 1
1st Jorge Gill
2nd Thierry Way
3rd Elliot Lux
4th Billy Munden
5th Oliver Akid
6th Adam Grundy

Ladies
1st Zoe Costigan
2nd Liz Wells
3rd Jo Blenkinsopp
4th Laura Blissett
5th Danielle Thompson

Masters
1st Mike Cook
2nd Andy Crolla
3rd Simon Hogg
4th Mike Heaton
5th Steve Thompson
6th Peter Blenkinsopp
7th George Wright

Open Men
1st Adam Oldfield
2nd Lee Doyle
3rd Nick Berrie
4th Nick Horsfall
5th Ryan Davis
6th Chris Berrie
7th Chris Doyle
8th James Blissett

Outlaws
1st Carlos Fandango AKA Carl Smith
2nd Andy Harris
3rd Anthony Meynell