A CLERGYMAN who has served Spalding branch of The Royal British Legion for a quarter of a century, the Rev John Moon, was honoured at the legion headquarters in Spring Gardens.

Mr Moon, from Moulton, received a certificate and an engraved paperweight. He traditionally leads the Armistice service at Spalding Cemetery when poppy wreaths are laid on war graves and has taken many services on Remembrance Sunday in Ayscoughfee Gardens and at the legion’s memorial tree at Springfields.

Legion vice-chairman Wally Tennant said: “He’s been great. He’s a good man and his work is very much appreciated.”

Gifts were also presented to the Rev John Bennett and Sarah Chad for their work in adding names to the war memorial.

A MOTORCYCLIST who died after crashing into the back of a van in Spalding had been performing a wheelie just seconds earlier.

Witnesses to the crash told an inquest on Friday how Patryk Wojtczak did not seem to realise the van was stationary on London Road as he approached at “high speed”.

Van driver Darren Andrews told how he had pulled in behind some parked cars to allow an oncoming Isuzu truck and trailer to pass when the collision happened on September 13.

He said: “While I was stationary I heard the motorcyclist enter the road. It was coming at high speed. Hearing the engine, I looked in my wing mirror and saw the motorcyclist pulling a wheelie.

“As the motorcycle was quickly approaching, he came out of the wheelie and pulled the brakes on hard and skidded off.

“The motorcycle came by the side of the van and the motorcycle rider hit the back of it.”

Mr Wojtczak (30), of Thistle Gardens, Spalding, was airlifted to Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital but later died from multiple injuries.

The Drayman’s Arms landlord Anthony Branch told the inquest he had seen the motorcyclist earlier in the day and previously in the area.

He said: “About 20 minutes to half an hour before the accident he came by the pub as I was going out the gate.

“He went by me doing a wheelie and I would estimate he was doing 60 to 80mph.”

Mr Branch said he was “99.9 per cent sure” he had seen the same motorcyclist on a different occasion performing a crucifix – a manoeuvre where the rider stands up and puts their arms out.

Collision investigator PC Mark Hamilton estimated Mr Wojtczak had been travelling towards Spalding town centre at “no less than” 52mph on the Yamaha 600.

He also estimated he was still travelling about 40mph when he hit the van.

He said the effect of performing a wheelie would have left Mr Wojtczak with no steering or braking control and may have restricted his view of the road ahead.

Coroner Maureen Taylor said the incident should act as a warning to other motorists.

She said: “The outcome has been caused entirely by the standard of driving and no other person involved could be held responsible.

“Perhaps other motorists will take note that performing such actions and speeds on Lincolnshire’s roads is extremely ill-advised and the outcome may be the same as we are hearing today.”

After the hearing, a statement from Mr Wojtczak’s family said: “Mr Wojtczak’s family ask for people to not judge Patryk by the cover. He was not a crazy driver but maybe on that occasion he was driving a bit too fast.

“He was a good and valued person. This should be a warning to other road users to think twice.”

Miss Taylor recorded a verdict of accidental death at the hearing at Spalding Magistrates’ Court.

HOLBEACH UNITED 0 WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN 3 (Surridge 17, Redding 56, Richardson 66): JOHN Chand likened Holbeach’s defending to the Brady Bunch after witnessing their worst performance of the season on Saturday.

The Tigers slumped to their first Carter’s Park defeat since November as Wellingborough were gifted a surprisingly easy three points in the United Counties League Premier Division clash, thanks to goals from Dan Surridge, Mark Redding and Wayne Richardson.

Chand, who was missing suspended duo Ash Stevens and Mitch Griffiths, lambasted the display.

He said: “It wasn’t good enough and easily our worst performance of the season.

“We defended like the Brady Bunch, it was diabolical.

“Only Jonny Allen did his job, the rest need to have a look at themselves.

“We badly missed the suspended lads, but still had enough chances to be well ahead at half time.

“The second half was a shambles, though.”

Andrew Tidswell had an early chance saved, before the Doughboys opened the scoring when Surridge let fly with a cracking opener that looped over stranded keeper Leigh Overton.

The Tigers then missed a pair of gilt-edged chances, with Adam Jackson screwing the ball wide from close ranger and then Lewis Brooks heading straight at the keeper with the goal gaping.

It was a different story after the break, with Holbeach very much second best. The hosts looked to have a very soft centre, with Redding allowed the freedom of the penalty area to sidefoot home Wellingborough’s second.

If that boiled Chand’s blood, Richardson’s clever third had him spitting feathers. The wideman left three defenders for dead with some nifty footwork, before dinking past Overton.

Lincoln City loanee James Wilson, signed on Friday, made his debut in the latter stages and looked sharp – but Holbeach’s unbeaten month was already shattered.

Tigers: Overton, Allen, Jackson, Kennedy, Brown (Warfield 70), J Stevens, Flack, Goodhand, Tidswell, Treacher (Keeble 87), Brooks (Wilson 70). Not used: Elston, Newton.

A GRIEVING man – who lay down drunk in a cold, wet field – was abusive to emergency service personnel when they went to his aid.

Zak Hurst (19) first became violent towards an ambulance service crew in the field beside Gas House Lane, Sutton Bridge.

Spalding magistrates heard that the ambulance service alerted police and Pc Robert Exler went to the scene and saw the ambulance crew walking away from Hurst, who was shouting, swearing and swinging his fists in the air.

Miss Ritson said Hurst was saying he would “have them” and then turned his attention to Pc Exler, swearing at him and shouting “I will have you too”.

Hurst swung a clenched fist at Pc Exler, which connected with his leg, but the officer then used CS spray to subdue Hurst so he could be handcuffed.

Hurst, of Royal Close, Sutton Bridge, was fined £100 and ordered to pay £85 costs with a £15 victim surcharge when he pleaded guilty to a public order offence arising from the incident on January 10.

Hurst represented himself at Thursday’s hearing and told the court he was drunk on that day because he was still upset about losing his nan, who died on December 17.

When passing sentence, presiding magistrate Madge Marshall-Brown said: “Your gran would not have been very proud of you on that day, would she?”

Mrs Marshall-Brown said the ambulance service and police had gone to the field to help him.

She continued: “Funnily enough, people do care about each other and the way you rewarded them was to act like a fool.”

UPPINGHAM TOWN 0 PINCHBECK UNITED 4: PINCHBECK rediscovered the winning touch as they ended their barren run in typical style.

Goals from Ashley Wilson, Keith Gray, Lee Marshall and player/boss Ian Dunn were enough for United on Saturday – against an Uppingham side that held them 3-3 at Knight Street the previous week.

The victory leaves second-placed promotion hopefuls Pinchbeck well positioned in the Peterborough and District League Premier Division, with leaders King’s Cliffe three points clear having played four games more.

Delighted Dunn said: “They had a gameplan to kick and frustrate us, that was clear.

“But we worked hard and ground them down. Once we went 2-0 up in the second half it was game over. In the end our quality shone through and it’s a good three points.”

Pinchbeck now face two big cup semi-finals in successive weekends. See Thursday’s Spalding Guardian for a preview.

• Moulton Harrox also got back to winning ways as Steve Mastin’s strike was enough to beat Netherton 1-0.

SPALDING Swords Fencing club are offering children and young people a free lesson on Friday.

The club are holding a ‘come and try it’ event at the Castle Sports Complex (7pm-8pm) for anyone aged 8–13 years.

Thomas Bayston, a fully qualified fencing coach, will host the session.

He said: “The taster sessions are part of Fencing 4 Free 2012, which hopes to provide schoolchildren in Lincolnshire with the chance to learn about the sport of fencing.

“With support from a number of partners and other clubs within the county, we have been able to deliver a number of free sessions for children and young people in the area.”

Places are limited on a first come, first serve basis and children must wear suitable clothing (indoor trainers, a loose fitting top and full-length trousers). They should also bring a drink, while parents are welcome to stay during the session.

Lynsey Norris, Sport Manager at Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, said: “I hope children in the local area take full advantage of what’s on offer in Spalding.

“This is a great opportunity for young people in Spalding to try something new and exciting.”

Email thomas.bayston@hotmail.co.uk for more information.

A FLOODLIGHT failure saw Tuesday night’s Lincs FA Senior Trophy semi-final between Bourne Town and Holbeach United abandoned after 35 minutes, while Deeping Rangers drew 1-1 against St Ives Town.

In the biggest game held at the Abbey Lawn in years, the Wakes were holding their own against the Tigers until the lights went out and the players were forced off.

After a lengthy delay the game was written off by the officials – and rearranged for next Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Josh Moreman earned Rangers a point at icy Outgang Road. Conor Washington’s early strike fired the Saints ahead, but on-song Moreman soon replied – and that’s how it stayed.

More to follow.

A NEW overseas name will grace the Abbey Lawn next season after Bourne Cricket Club snapped up South African ace Robin Gow-Kleinschmidt.

The Springbok, likely to be known as ‘RGK’, replaces the hugely successful Fahad Masood for the 2012 Lincs ECB Premier Division season.

Pakistani paceman Masood was an absolute revelation for Bourne, guiding them to the league tile in 2010 and breaking the Premier Division’s wicket record in his second.

Although Bourne have yet to complete the paperwork for Gow-Kleinschmidt’s move, club chairman Hedley Stroud doesn’t anticipate any difficulties.

Stroud said: “I am sure he will be here for the start of the season.

“Fahad did a great job but two years is probably enough for any overseas player. It will leave us perhaps a little short on the bowling side but nobody could follow what Fahad achieved. We are still hoping to find a third seamer.”

The squad has begun training at Witham Hall School, with Pete Morgan again captaining the Saturday and Sunday first teams.

Tom Bentley and Dirk Binns will share honours for the second teams.

RGK will also be working with at least one of Bourne’s highly successful junior teams during his stay with the club, which begins in less than three months.

Also joining Bourne this year is wicketkeeper Carl Wilson from Skegness – and his first competitive match for the club will be back at his old team on April 21, when the 2012 season commences.

The two new arrivals will be bidding to help 2010 champions Bourne reclaim the county crown, having been dethroned by Bracebridge Heath last time around.

Stroud added: “We lost to Bracebridge at home in June and it was uphill after that. But we had a crack at it.

“We’ve have had a bad start in each of the last two years. Hopefully this will be a slightly different season.

“We have a good group of players and I am confident we have one of the best batting line-ups in the league.”

UPDATE: Wednesday, 1.15pm: RESIDENTS with any concerns following yesterday’s armed stand-off in Sutton St James are being urged to talk to police.

Insp Jim Tyner has said there will be an ongoing police presence in the village until investigations into the incident are complete.

The 11-hour operation in Chapelgate ended in tragedy at about 10.30pm last night when officers discovered the body of Barry Horspool in an upstairs room at the home.

Insp Tyner said: “We recognise that this must have been a fairly traumatic ordeal for the local community and we’d like to thank them for their cooperation and patience throughout the operation.

“We realise that significant disruption was caused, but decisions to commit the level of resources we did are not taken lightly and preserving public safety is always our main priority.

“There will be an ongoing police presence in the area until our investigations are completed. We would urge people living in the village to talk to our officers on the scene if they have any concerns.

“Thankfully Lincolnshire is a particularly safe place to live and incidents like this are extremely rare.”

Wednesday, 8am: The stand-off in Sutton St James ended late last night with armed officers finding the body of a man at the Chapelgate property.

The near 12-hour incident ended around 10.30pm with the discovery of the body - expected to be confirmed as Barry Horspool - in an upstairs room.

Police say no shots were fired by officers.

A Lincolnshire Police statement said: “Investigations are ongoing and a further update will follow on Wednesday.”

The local police officer who suffered a minor facial injury on Tuesday lunchtime during the early part of the incident has been treated and discharged from Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital.

Tuesday, 6.30pm: The man involved in the stand-off with armed police in Sutton St James has been named locally.

It’s believed to be Barry Horspool, who is thought to be around 60 years old.

One source says the incident, which has been ongoing since lunchtime, was sparked when police called on him over a firearms licence. But another report suggests police were responding to a “concern for safety call”.

Mr Horspool’s address is listed as being in Chapelgate, the road currently cordoned off by police.

One nearby resident told us that he is a mobility scooter user.

UPDATE Tuesday 4.55pm: Police are understood to be negotiating with someone in a property in Chapelgate, Sutton St James, to bring a safe end to events.

Tuesday, 4.25pm: UNCONFIRMED latest report is that armed police are understood to be in a stand-off at a property in Chapelgate.

Several more police vehicles have just turned up, including two dog units from Leicestershire Constabulary.

Must stress the stand-off is UNCONFIRMED as Lincolnshire Police concentrating on the situation and releasing little information at the moment.

Tuesday, 3.15pm: Police dealing with a firearm incident at Chapelgate, Sutton St James, are asking people in the area to stay in their homes and not to go out or gather in public places. The area affected is between Bells Drove and Taylor’s Drove.

People who live in the area and who aren’t already at home are requested not to attempt to go home, but instead to go to nearby houses of friends or relatives.

People who do not have anywhere suitable to go can make their way to the village hall in Sutton St James. If people have problems making their way to the village hall they should speak to a police officer at one of the containment points who can enable access.

The containment checkpoints are:

• the junction of Chapelgate and Broadgate

• the junction of Jarvis Gate and Chapelgate

• the junction of Bells Drove and Chapelgate

• the junction of Baulkins Drove and Broadgate

• Garner’s Garage and Chapelgate

The incident is still ongoing and therefore police are unable to release further information. Lincolnshire Polce say updates about the incident or its implications on the public will be provided when possible.

Tuesday 2.40pm: A police car with its driver’s side window broken - believed to be by at least one gun shot - has been taken away from Chapelgate in Sutton St James.

One eyewitness reports that the car was parked there by police after the incident nearby.

It’s understood the male driver was hurt and waited there for an ambulance.

Tuesday, 2.10pm: Chapelgate in Sutton St James is currently the scene of a major police operation, believed to involve a firearm.

Details are sketchy but one eyewitness suggests a shot being taken at a passing police car.

A police officer has been injured and roads around the area have been closed.

A police statement reads: “Lincolnshire Police are currently dealing with an incident at Chapelgate, Sutton St James.

“The incident is ongoing and we are currently unable to provide further information for operational reasons. An officer has sustained minor injuries during the incident.

The roads around the area have been closed and diversions put in place. People are being asked to avoid the area around Chapelgate, Sutton St James.”

• If you know anything about the incident call us confidentially on 01775 765420

WORK on the £830,000 marina planned for Sutton Bridge is due to start in July and finish by the end of this year.

Lincolnshire County Council claims the project will boost the local economy by £200,000 or more per year, creating new jobs and safeguarding existing ones.

Almost half the cost – £400,000 – will be met by Section 106 money from the power station fund managed by South Holland District Council.

And £300,000 will come from the LEADER funding initiative of the Rural Development Programme for England, supported by the European Commission and Defra.

The county council, which won planning consent for the project in December 2010, is chipping in £130,000.

In last week’s Spalding Guardian, Port Sutton Bridge founder Peter Clery questioned the use of £400,000 from the power station money to fund the marina – and asked if £150,000 of that could be put to one side for a multi-sports complex.

Mr Clery, who chairs the community centre, also said it was unclear how the people of Sutton Bridge would benefit from the marina expenditure.

This week county council head of enterprise Justin Brown told the Spalding Guardian: “The new marina will attract thousands of visitors to the area. Our research suggests this will benefit the local economy to the tune of £200,000 a year.

“This would be a valuable boost for local businesses and is predicted to lead to new jobs with further ones protected.

“The project is likely to kick-start further investment and regeneration in the area, meaning the long term benefits are likely to be even greater.

“Steady progress continues to be made and we’re hoping to have everything wrapped up by the end of the year.”

The plan is to create 80 moorings – 70 will be permanent, with half used by people living in the area and half by people living outside. Ten will be for visitors.

Work also includes refurbishment of the promenade and creating new parking spaces.

Nene Marine community group was formed to take the project forward with backing from Fenland District Council, Port of Wisbech, the Environment Agency and the county council.

l See letters, page 6.

THIEVES who stole lead roof gullies from homes in Station Road, Long Sutton, were caught by police at Kirton.

Pc Darren Enderby told Long Sutton Parish Council that homeowners targeted by lead thieves are now using plastic where they can to replace stolen gullies.

He said: “It looks exactly the same as lead, it does the same job and it’s got no value whatsoever.”

Pc Enderby told parish councillors on Thursday there were 17 crimes in the village during the previous month – two involving violence, seven thefts, two ‘bilkings’ where people left the BP garage without paying for fuel, a burglary at a garage and five criminal damages.

He said: “The metal thefts seem to have slowed down at the moment.

“Of those five thefts, only one was lead and one was a catalytic convertor.”

FOR a taste of spring pop along to Whaplode church over the next three weekends.

Visitors can enjoy snowdrop walks around the wild area of the churchyard starting on Saturday and Sunday, February 11 and 12.

The walks will also take place the following two weekends and run from 10am on Saturdays and 11.30am on Sundays, finishing at 3.30pm both days.

LETTERS are to be sent to schools in Spalding highlighting problems of chewing gum being dropped on town centre streets.

Spalding Town Centre Neighbourhood Panel, in conjunction with the police, decided to take action after discussing ways of tackling the sticky issue and spitting in the street at its latest meeting.

Members also agreed to contact South Holland District Council to ask for the street cleaning team or those involved in the Community Payback team to have a purge on cleaning up the gum.

The latest meeting of the neighbourhood panel was particularly well attended after PCSOs carried out a leaflet drop in St Thomas’s Road encouraging more people to come forward to highlight issues affecting the town and attempt to find solutions.

At the meeting, chairman Julie Grant said new members are always welcome, adding: “To move forward we need to highlight any new problems that occur in the town centre or any that may have been quiet for a while but have started up again.

“Whilst we all have our own area issues, some of these will never stop completely so spending time at these meetings discussing them time after time will be a waste of our energies.”

Some of the other issues raised at the meeting included theft of bikes, rubbish being thrown in residents’ gardens, bottles being smashed in the street, lack of rubbish bins, street drinking, defecation in alleyways, urinating in the streets.

They also discussed the need for at least one toilet block in the town being left open 24 hours a day.

With regards to rubbish, members agreed to contact the Environment Agency to raise concerns about the state of the River Welland and the Coronation Channel.

The group has had a number of successes in dealing with issues since it started in June 2010, including tidying and cutting the hedge at Broad Street car park, replacement of a fire damaged lamppost in the Swan Street area and liaising with the council on issues such as graffiti.

The next meeting will be held on April 10 at 7pm at the district council offices in Priory Road, Spalding (to be confirmed).

VILLAGERS have spoken of their shock at Tuesday afternoon’s dramatic events.

Sutton St James’s community stood and watched as emergency services and the media swamped the village as the armed stand-off unfolded in Chapelgate.

The usually quiet village became a no-go area as officers took maximum precautions during the incident, where Barry Horspool was understood to have been making threats with a gun.

Carole Taylor, who was caring for her nine-month-old grandson Joshua just a few doors away, first noticed something was wrong when she saw someone run past the kitchen window at the side of her house.

She said: “I locked the doors when I saw the shadow run past and when I went into the front room, I saw the police with guns outside and it was a bit of a shock.

“This is a lovely village and everyone is so friendly.”

But Carole could not stay in her home as police had asked. She had no food for Joshua and she needed to get him home to parents John and Nic, who live the other side of the village.

She alerted officers to her situation and they escorted her from the scene.

“They said they would knock on the door when they were ready,” she explained. “The police were brilliant. I cannot thank them enough.”

Fellow Chapelgate resident Tom Sutton said: “This is a quiet little village and there’s never a lot of trouble here.

“We really have everything that we want here. It’s a bit of a shock.”

Jeanette’s hairdressers decided to close for the afternoon on Tuesday as customers struggled to get through.

Owner Jeanette Kidd was still receiving calls to see if the road was clear.

She told the Spalding Guardian: “Everyone is in shock.”

JE Garner’s garage said some of their customers had also failed to arrive for MOTs as the siege took hold.

Carers for a number of elderly residents living on the street had also been unable to make their way through the road blocks.

One resident said the road closure in Chapelgate, which was still in place yesterday, had caused “total chaos”.

He said school buses, lorries and cars were being forced to make a three-point turn or reverse back the way they came.

THIEVES stole two mopeds from the driveway of a house in Hereward Road, Spalding on Monday night.

A diesel engine van was heard at around 2am and the mopeds were found to be missing late that morning.

They are a black and red Chitmagy 200, registration number OU05 OKM, and a black MBK Nitro 500, reg number Y49 UGP.

Anyone with information should contact PC Dave Doe on 101.

A POPULAR alternative to pills in many parts of Europe, Sophrology, the method of using breathing and relaxation techniques to bring about a calm state of body and mind, is coming to Whaplode.

Sophrology helps to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, lift depression, improve sleep patterns and promote a feeling of general wellbeing.

Lynn Exley is currently training to be one of the first English Sophrologists with the Sophrology Academy in Kent and, as part of the course, is required to run group sessions to practice her skills.

Lynn will be running the free sessions on Monday mornings at Whaplode Village Hall. Numbers will be limited to 8 so if you would like to try Sophrology to bring calmness into your life and you are free on Monday mornings for the next couple of months give Lynn a call on 07553354845. For more info on Sophrology go to www.sophrologyacademy.co.uk.

BURGLARS have stolen cash from a till in an overnight raid at a farm shop in Gedney.

The burglary at Chestnut Farm Shop on the A17 was discovered at about 6am this morning.

Police say the offenders got in by breaking a window at the back.

Anyone with information should contact Spalding Police Station by dialling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

LUTTON 6 GOSBERTON 5: TIM Lowe struck the winner as Lutton shaded this Spalding Sunday League thriller.

After an even start Gosberton went ahead, only for Wayne Congreve to head home a leveller from Adam Pack’s pinpoint cross.

Lutton then went ahead when Mark Garner slotted home, but Gosberton scored soon afterwards to level.

The away side then went ahead through a penalty, but the lead didn’t last long as Tony McEwan headed Lutton level. Goals went in at both ends again, as Gosberton went ahead before Garner notched his second to make it 4-4.

Gosberton must have thought they had it won when they went 5-4 up, yet Josh Slater dramatically squared things again.

Amazingly, with only five minutes to go Lowe scored Lutton’s sixth to give them all three points and a fine win.

SUTTON BRIDGE 2

JUBILEE 4

AFTER a largely frustrating season, Jubilee finally got their act together and ended Bridge’s 100 per cent Division Two record.

Attacking from the off, Danny Nichols’ cracking left foot drive put Jubilee ahead, before Bridge levelled.

Keeper Luke Boekestyn made some important stops before his brother Leigh put the away side 2-1 ahead.

After the break, Nichols had a goal cruelly ruled out, before Luke Chilvers put Jubilee 3-1 up. A spectacular 30-yarder from Simon Webb made it 4-1, before a late Bridge consolation. Outstanding for Jubilee was defender Jack Chilvers.

Peterborough & District League

OAKHAM UTD RES 2

PINCHBECK UTD RES 1

ANTONY Maher stepped off the bench to orchestrate a thrilling comeback for Oakham as Pinchbeck were left to rue missed chances.

Ash Wilson made no mistake with an early penalty to put Pinchbeck ahead at half time.

Pinchbeck then bossed it up until the 70th minute, when midfield maestro Maher entered the fray. He levelled with a smart finish, before Jamie Forbes’ fired the winner ten minutes from time.

Boston & District League

TYDD ST MARY 1

POINTON RESERVES 2

TYDD were edged out in this ‘six pointer’ near the top of Division Two.

They deservedly took the lead on 31 minutes when Aaron Parker found Dan Chapman to rifle home.

Pointon levelled on 57 minutes when, despite a fine stop from Matty High, a rebound was thrashed home

Both teams then came close to scoring in a frantic finale, but it was Pointon who grabbed a winner ten minutes from time.

A CLUTCH of South Holland racers will be competing in the biggest unlimited banger team event of the year this weekend.

‘The Icebreaker‘ takes place at the King’s Lynn’s Norfolk Arena on Sunday (noon).

The event has been fully booked for months and sees the top teams in the UK coming to do battle, with more than 160 unlimited bangers will be in action.

Spalding’s Simon Goodale will once again be leading ‘Team Bad News’ into action, with a team which promises something special in the material department.

Will Longford is another in action.

Following several promising displays in the limited cc bangers, it will be something of a baptism of fire as he makes his unlimited debut.

Another team with local representation is the ‘Mill Green Mafia’, which comprises of Nick Houghton (Pinchbeck), Jamie Clayton (Spalding), Grant McGill and Tony Lowther.

They may only be occasional racers in bangers, but there is a wealth of both talent and experience in this team – with Houghton having been an accomplished performer in F1 and Saloon Stock Cars and Clayton being a top Saloon Stocker of the current era.

The team are always smartly presented and could deliver strong results if they get the right breaks.

Elsewhere, Dan Jackson makes his debut in this event and will be racing for ‘The Predators’ for the first time.

CHARLOTTE Taylor was in a class of her own at the Lincolnshire Schools’ Cross Country Championships.

The Spalding High School ace, who was among a clutch of South Holland runners to feature at the Coronation Channel course (South Lincs zone), took the senior girls title at a canter.

Successful South Lincolnshire squads also won two team titles and finished as runner-up in two other age groups.

Behind terrific Taylor in the senior girls event was University Academy Holbeach student Grace Mullins in second, giving South Lincs a fantastic start in the team competition.

Natasha Segal (Spalding High) was the fourth and final team counter in 12th position to secure the team championship.

The under-13 Girls representing South Lincs also combined to take the team title. In this event for year seven pupils, Rosie Fresen (Spalding High) crossed the line in tenth place.

Meanwhile, the under-19 boys were unable to emulate their female counterparts – but still managed to fill second position on the team results table.

Two Sir John Gleed sixth formers – Lloyd Kempson (7th) and David De-Sa (13th) – finished well to secure a strong overall placing for the team.

South Lincs’ under-15 boys had competitors in the first two positions. But, although they packed quite well behind their leading runners, they missed out on the team championship title by the narrowest of margins, finishing one point behind champions Lincoln and Gainsborough.

At under-17 girls level, Holly Wise (University Academy Holbeach) ran well to finish in eighth place and earn selection for the Lincolnshire team for the Anglian Counties Cross Country Championships at Ipswich this weekend.