Published Date:
27 October 2009
By Staff reporter
BALLYMENA Road Club-Scott Roof Tiles race secretary Tommy Wilson, from Antrim, has won the club's road racing league series for the 2009 season.
The series opened with the H&M Wilson cup road race at Slaght on 13th May. Uel Cunningham won this one with Tommy Wilson second.
Round two was the Rex Bonar cup road race which was held over five laps (25 miles) of the Lisnamurrican circuit at Broughshane on 27th May. Ryan Connor took the honours this time with Uel Cunningham, in second place, extending his overall lead over Tommy Wilson who finished fourth.
Round three was the Sammy Connor cup "scratch" road race on the Broughshane "Sheddings circuit" on 17th June. Appropriately Ryan Connor romped home nearly two minutes ahead of Conor McAllister with Tommy Wilson third at 3 minutes 32 seconds. Uel Cunningham didn't take part and Tommy's eight points, for third place, took him to the top of the table with 24 points over Cunningham on 19.
The Star Trophy grand prix of the Glens road race at Broughshane on 1st July saw Ryan Connor complete a hat trick of wins, with club founder member Sammy Kerr taking an excellent second place.
Tommy didn't take part as he had to assist with marshalling duties at the eleventh hour. Ryan Connor's win took him to the top of the league on 30 points with Wilson second on 24.
Uel Cunningham then won his "home" race when round five took place on the Mid Antrim motor cycle circuit on 28th July. Matthew Brennan was second and Tommy took third. This put Uel back on top by one point with 33 points to Wilson's 32 and Connor's 30.
The penultimate round was the Sammy Gaston cup at Glarryford on 6th August, which this season was held as part of the inaugural three day event. Conor McAllister won by 14 seconds from his brother Leo. Tommy collected 7 points and he regained the lead over Cunningham by a single point.
The final round was the Will Henry cup at Glarryford on 26th August and the scene was set for an exciting finale to the league. Wilson and Cunningham started together, making up the two rider scratch group.
However Cunningham punctured on the opening lap and his race and league challenge was effectively over and he retired. Mark McCullough went on to win the four lap, 20 miles race, in a "two up" sprint against teenager Matthew Brennan with Sammy Kerr third at 61 seconds.
Tommy rode through from scratch to finish fourth at 1 minute 20 seconds. This fourth place was enough for Tommy to win the William Smyth cup outright, a trophy which he last won in 2003.
He has a great record in this competition and finished second, on each occasion to Liam Nelson, in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and was fourth in 2008 when Ryan Connor was the winner.
Matthew Brennan was the only rider to score in all seven rounds this season, however he had to drop his lowest score (3 points), as only six rounds from the seven count. Matthew finished equal second to the early leader and luckless Uel Cunningham overall.
Final league standings: 1.
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Last Updated:
27 October 2009 9:44 AM
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Source:
Ballymena Times
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Location:
Ballymena