IN THE dense Hatherton Forest near Wareham, 130 riders from the southern region contested the final round of the Southern Centre Enduro championship.

The tortuous all-road track coursewas deliberately set to be tough and succeeded as, after a week of heavy rain, many had to retire before their three-hour stint was completed.

With each lap taking approximately 35 minutes only the fittest lasted the test.

Yetminster's motocross Expert Ross Sturmey, who finished second in the first round of the championship at his first attempt and started Sunday's ride in overall sixth, was tipped to improve that placing but a faulty front brake clogged with mud soon put paid to his efforts on the third of the 35-minute laps when already in a commanding position having performed well in the special test.

This left the way open for Andy Elliott and Gary Holland to make the Expert running with Holland gradually moving up to take Elliott in the final lap and run out overall Expert winner.

Ian Murdell took third and Poole's Shane Trotter fourth, Murdell, however, had put in the fastest time in the special test ahead of Sturmey. Despite the conditions, all the Experts finished inside the three-hour time limit.

Darren Caines on a thumping KTM four-stroke, ideally suited for the day, cut his way through the forest for a Clubman Classic win just a one-minute over time to clinch the Four-Stroke Championship.

Rob Richards was three minutes behind in second while Shaun Dayman with a five minute-time penalty took overall third.

Anthony Griffiths was due to ride a 300 KTM but last-minute problems ruled that out and, with no time to get that fixed, ended up on a borrowed 225cc Yamaha, a strange but lighter mount for him.

This suited him well judging by his Trail Class win in which he lost nine minutes with his team-mate, Roy Chamberlain, on a 10-minute penalty.

Two Wiltshire riders, Richard Allen and Luke Winn, filled third and fourth places respectively on 40 and 54 overtime penalties.

Bournemouth's Les Hill, a useful performer without often finishing top, enjoyed a rare win in the Twin Shock Class - although he was the only entry.

Although the Sportsman Class is often considered the least competitive, Karl Ingerfield's victory will go down as an outstanding effort as it was only three minutes over the three hours with Gary Baynton two minutes further adrift on five minutes.