For the first time in years the Broome Heath Scramble was not held in snowy conditions, the weather in fact being bright sunshine, and the course not muddy, being situated in a long-disused sand-pit at Ditchingham, near Bungay. The event was very well run by Iceni Velo and the course was the normal excellent mixture of grass land, single track and with two climbs, one in deep sand which necessitated a dismount.

First race, as ever, was the Vets, with Mike Bowen gridded on the front row, reflecting his second place in the League. A fast and furious pace was set by Andy Roberts (GWR) chased by league leader Phil Buick with our Mike riding strongly to secure an excellent third place. Further down the order Adrian Grimwood was mid-field when he punctured on some tree roots. This left Barry Denny and Darren Baker battling for tail end places, finishing 53^rd and 54^th respectively! Richard Muchmore unfortunately missed the action with a stomach bug.

Next up were the Under 12s and Under 10’s, and riding with great enthusiasm. The lead was being hotly contested between the home club’s Josun Cole and league leader Aaron Freeman (Chelmer), but with our Fraser Elsworth trying hard to get on terms and finishing strongly in third. Sam Asker meanwhile was contesting 4^th with Ashwell’s James Fraser, eventually securing that place. Matt Whitwell was riding strongly to finish 6^th in the Under 10’s class, with Oliver Griggs 9^th.

Unfortunately we had no representatives in the U16, Ladies or Senior races, but next year perhaps?

Team results are counted on the first three from each club across all the five categories, so with two thirds and a fourth, West Suffolk were equal third, moving us up to 4^th overall in the League, out of 18 clubs contesting the series and with two meetings left we could still be in the honours, with Iceni currently leading the standings from Lea Valley and Ashwell in third.

In the individual league standings Mike is in a strong second place in the Vets, with Richard Muchmore also in with a good chance of a top placing. The best eight scores count and Richard needs two more (good) scores to have two West Suffolk riders in the top three Vets. In the U12’s Fraser is currently in third from eight counting rides, and Sam 10^th with two more scores to count and in the U10s Oliver is 6^th, and Matt 7^th but needing one more score to count. It’s all to play for with two dates left, our meeting on Jan 19 being the final and probably crucial round. It will be exciting.

This meeting received glowing feedback on the dreaded Facebook, with correspondents citing the good course, the good weather, the commentary and the encouragement of the many marshals around the course. If we want to win the Best Cross of the Season Award, this is a hard act to follow ~ but I think we can do it!

~ Barry Denny 18-12-12