26 DECEMBER 2025

Sam Connor shows his class at the North Berks Charity Trial

We held our Charity Trial this weekend. We were lucky with the weather, a brisk wind blowing across the Arena but it stayed dry for the duration of the trial thankfully.

We had a decent sized entry of 50 riders join us across the classes. The team had been out the week leading up to the event marking 10 sections with 5 different routes on each section, catering for all levels of rider.

We ran an elite class for this one, which followed the Expert route with the addition of deviations testing the top class riders to some seriously daunting steps etc. Sam Connor took the win on the Elite route, showing his class with pinpoint accuracy on the Arena’s rocks. We did take 12 dabs off him though. Well done Sam, fantastic to watch. Brett Harbud came second on 47 marks, his rear shock linkage collapsed at the end of his third lap, so he had to literally carry his Beta back to the van to get it fixed before he could complete his last lap. Luckily the car park is adjacent to the Arena. Brett said he was glad it happened this weekend, he’s up doing the Scott next Saturday, so would have been a nightmare getting it off a North Yorkshire moor. Young George Clark took third spot dropping 70 marks.

Alicia Robinson was the only entry in the Adult Expert class, sadly Alicia is carrying a wrist injury that she sustained at the TDN a few weeks ago, so didn’t finish the trial. She took the sensible decision to call it a day after the first lap, so as not to injure it further.

The 50/50 class was topped by Dan Hole for the loss of just 7 marks, nice ride Dan. Nate Robinson placed second on 13 and then Holly Dixon in third on 42.

Paul Wareing took the win on the Clubman B route going round for the loss of just 2 marks, closely followed by Stephen Douglas on 4. Matt Dixon was third, out on his old Beta Techno dropping 6.

Clubman C class was very well supported with 15 entries. Top of this class was Matthew Rowden, completing the four laps for the loss of just 5 marks. Jason Young was second dropping 16, closely followed by Peter James on 17.

On to the Youth classes. Young Max Golla took on the Elite route, he dropped just 37 marks which was a fantastic ride on the big technical sections.

Kai Fisher was the only entry in the Youth A class, he went round for 34, full commitment as always from Kai hitting the rocks.

Youth 50/50 class was won by Sam LeFevre completing the trial for the loss of just 19 marks, Luke Batten took second on 41 and Joseph Baker third on 80.

George Wareing had a brilliant ride in the Youth B class, he was top of the class dropping a mere 8 marks. Coben Brand second on 75 and Rosy Connor on 83 taking third place.

Completing the day on a clean in the Youth C class was Charlie Crabree, fantastic ride Charlie. Riley Middlehurst placed second on 12, followed by Dexter Rowden dropping 16.

Youth D class was won by George Dixon, losing 7 marks. Samuel Stones second on 26 and Isla Crabtree on 35.

After the action everyone was invited to stay with us to enjoy a barbecue prepared by The Robinson’s which went down very well. We also held a raffle with some fantastic prizes, a huge thank you goes out to everyone who kindly donated. We donated £250 to Thames Valley Air Ambulance and £100 to East Hagbourne Church.

A big thank you goes out to our observers on the day – Sarah/Liam/Mark Anderson; Mick Bayliss; Ian Toplis; Liam York; Sian King; Jimmy Axford; Richard Harbud; Mr Archer and Nigel/Tamzin Preston, we’re forever grateful. Well done to Claire on secretary duties and the guys and gals marking out and clearing down after the event, you know who you are.

Our next event is our Boxing Day Trial which we are hoping to run at the Moors this year, we’ll keep you posted.

Gazza was there with his camera, click the button to visit his picture gallery.