By Charlie Ralph

A VERY hot day greeted the riders, officials and spectators at Halstead and District Motor Cycle Club's Richard Fitch Memorial Meeting at Wakes Colne and despite the valiant effort by the club, dust was an issue during the day.

Following the practice sessions, the fastest group from qualifying began their first race, but a fall from one of the riders on the finish jump saw the race being red flagged after just five minutes of racing.

Racing was then stopped for around two hours as the medics attended the injured rider, which gave the opportunity for officials and riders to water the circuit in a bid to combat the dusty conditions.

It was then decided by club officials to run only one block of racing and the Richard Fitch Trophy race.

The A group re-run race saw teenager George Grigg Pettitt leading after lap one, but a puncture put him out of the race, leaving Connor Hughes at the front, chased by Shaun Southgate and Halstead member Brad Tomlin.

Lap five saw Southgate going into the lead which he held to the finish.

Hughes just managed to hold off Tomlin for second place, with Norfolk's Declan Whittle finishing in fourth place.

Sudbury enduro rider James Barker led all seven laps to win the B group, with veteran Lee Keyton holding second place for four laps until Halstead's Mark Relland upped his pace to claim second position at the finish.

The C group of all-comers saw Kenny Russell lead from start to finish for an easy win, although Gareth Robertson closed the gap on the final lap.

The Eastern Evo race saw Tomlin switching to a pre '89 Honda, and stormed into the lead chased by 1980s national star, Jon Barfoot.

Brett Fisher moved into second place on lap two, and chased Tomlin hard for four laps until retiring from the race.

Local star, Jason Morland, riding a 500cc KTM twostroke, fought through to claim second place from Barfoot and Lakenheath youngster, Shane Lock.

The 20-minute plus a lap Richard Fitch Trophy race saw lots of drama which had the crowd on their toes throughout.

Following the traditional one-minute silence in memory of the fine Essex rider who tragically lost his life at a Hawkstone Park meeting in 2005, a firework was the signal for the riders to run to their machines Le Mans style, and it was George Grigg Pettitt who was the first to reach his bike. Unfortunately, another puncture on the first lap ruined his day.

Luke Benstead then led after the first lap but crashed down to seventh place on lap two, leaving Tomlin at the front, chased by Norfolk's Ben Cole, Connor Hughes and Luke Parker.

Looking comfortable at the front for another five laps, Tomlin's race ended with a puncture and Benstead took over at the front after battling past Cole, Parker, Hughes and Southgate.

Amazingly, with two laps remaining, Benstead also retired with a puncture, leaving Cole to fend off his Norwich team-mate, Parker for a thrilling finish, with the pair inches apart as they crossed the finish line.

Southgate was a fine third from Hughes, Whittle, and the popular Morland.

It was good to see Richard's parents on hand to present the awards again this year, and the Halstead club officials thanked everyone for their patience and perseverance on a hard and demanding day.

RESULTS: Richard Fitch Trophy: 1st Ben Cole Husqvarna, 2nd Luke Parker Husqvarna, 3rd Shaun Southgate Honda, 4th Connor Hughes Honda, 5th Declan Whittle Husqvarna, 6th Jason Morland KYM

Group A all-comers race: 1st Southgate, 2nd Hughes, 3rd Brad Tomlin Yamaha, 4th Whittle, 5th Parker, 6th Cole.

Group B all-comers race: 1st James Barker KTM, 2nd Mark Relland Honda, 3rd Lee Keyton Yamaha, 4th Aaron Green Honda, 5th Tom Pearmain Husqvarna, 6th Michael Emsworth Honda.

Group C all-comers race: 1st Kenny Russell Honda, 2nd Gareth Robertson KTM, 3rd Jake Robertson KTM, 4th Shaun Grimwood Kawasaki, 5th Shaun Griffiths KTM, 6th Lee Fitzgerald KTM.

Eastern Evo's race: 1st Brad Tomlin Honda, 2nd Jason Morland KTM, 3rd Jon Barfoot Honda, 4th Shane Lock Honda, 5th Paul Edge Honda, 6th Jason Morettes Honda.