AT BERE Regis on Remembrance Sunday the sun quite literally set on the Hants and Dorset YMC championship season - unfortunately before the last novice race had been run! Despite the ingenuity of some riders who fixed torches to helmet peaks and front mudguards the chequered flag was put out after just two laps leaving fast-starting Sean Renvoize to grab the win from visiting hot shot Steve Eveleigh who won group's two daylight encounters. Light or dark, there was no holding Stephen Bain who grabbed a season - or career? - best result with a deserved third place overall.

The extension of the season to compensate for meetings lost in the spring to foot and mouth brought a welter of visitors who made their presence felt in all categories and kept the home grown stars on their toes.

Phil Lewis rose to the challenge admirably among the expert plus ranks and although he was bested by the Daryl Bolter in the final race had done enough to keep at bay the bevy of interlopers who filled the places behind him.

But Senior champion elect Brett Wheeler had no answer to the dashing Daniel Lillington who swept imperiously to three straight wins while Brett had his work cut out to fend off a hard-charging Tommy Henry for the runner-up slot.

Likewise, Jamie Cole, who learned his trade in the autos with Hants & Dorset, was invincible in the Inter 85s where third placed Thomas Speer headed the home challenge as the season's regular front runners struggled to keep up.

Richard Leat kept the home fires burning in the Inter 100s, bouncing back to top form to keep another ex-HDSSC protégé, Craig Rogers, in check.

Ross Hill, yet another erstwhile Hants & Dorset member in his even younger days, looked set to eclipse the Junior ranks until a last race setback allowed Ashley Bailey with three unaccustomed second places to pick up the laurels.

And while Zak Scammell also kept up his winning record in the autos group only a tie break saved him playing second fiddle to the emerging talent of Alex Gillingham with Jonathan Cole, following in his big brother's footsteps just two points adrift in third.