The destination of the Pat Pepper Trophy was still in doubt with only two miles to go in the Wolsey RC 25 in the Waveney Valley.

2010 winner Laura Gambling (CC Breckland) and former East District BAR Catherine Essex (King's Lynn CC) could not be separated on time as they passed the Homersfield turn-off for the last time.

From there the course curved into wind and Essex, using a smaller gear, was able to pull out a seven second advantage. She finished in 1:4:33 to secure the trophy commemorating Ipswich international rider Pat Pepper.

Those last two miles was also etched on the memory of men’s winner Andre Dyason (VC10) “I gave it all I’d got” he said before receiving a plaque to commemorate his win in this, the Wolsey RC’s 50th Anniversary year.

Everyone felt the full force of a head/cross wind on the last leg from Bungay towards Harleston.

Hopes of lots of help in the opposite direction were dashed - hedges and banks close to the road 'protected' riders from the tailwind.

East District CA webmaster Will Bamber was second in 57:25, and Andrew Leggett led the Stowmarket club to the team prize with his 57:40 for third. Among the Vets awards Angus Jardine 58:57 (+9:34) secured the Young Vets (age 40-49) for the Ipswich BC while Plomesgate CC’s Evert Wijnberg (59:11 + 18:00) was second to Colin Bunnett in the 60+. Tricycle winner was John Dupen (1:11:32) from Redisham near Beccles.

The wind was also very much in evidence in the open 10 at Crowfield promoted by the Ipswich BC. Twigs flying in the wind were an additional natural hazard on this North Suffolk country road course.

There were real corners, too, indeed one marshal had to jump out of the way of a “tester” who had underestimated one of these.

None of this worried sporting course specialist Duncan Murphy (Diss CC) who was the winner in 23:50. Best on handicap was the promoting club’s Paul Rippon (25:52)

The Ipswich Bicycle Club will use this course for club 10 mile time trials – suitable for beginners - on six Tuesday evenings commencing 24th May . Contact Tim Butler 01473 414546 for more details.

Scott Cousins (Maldon & District CC) scored wins at Hog Hill in both the Summer League on Thursday and the Essex Roads Spring Crits on Saturday. In the latter Juniors Kieran Brady from Soham and James Jobber from Colchester took third and fifth places respectively. Cousins finished off his week with 19th place in the higher category Andrews Trophy race at East Hanningfield which was won by Jason White (Cycle Premier)

RESULTS

Pat Pepper Memorial 25: 1 Catherine Essex (King's Lynn CC) 1:4:33, 2 L Gambling (CC Breckland) 1:4:40, 3 R Taylor (Wisbech Whs) 1:6:15, 4 S Withey (VC Norwich) 1:9:52, 5 K Eaton (Wolsey RC) 1:12:42, 6 G Bertoldi (Iceni Velo) 1:16:45.

Wolsey RC Mens 25: 1 Andre Dyason(VC10) 56:52, 2 W Bamber (Cult Racing) 57:25, 3 A Leggett (Stowmarket & District) 57:40, 4 G Frost (API) 57:43, 5 D Bloy (King’s Lynn CC), 6 J Rush (CC Sudbury) 58:27

Tricycle Association 25: 1 John Dupen (VTTA) 1:10:59.