BRITISH expert class champion Ricky Wiggins from Stoford, near Yeovil, defeated multiple South West Centre champion, Joe Baker by three marks in the opening round of the new South West Series.

The super tough three-lap, 12-section at the Ruby Rocks group of sections on the lower slopes of Dartmoor, proved to be more popular than ever, with more than 170 solos and seven sidecar crews taking part.

All the hazards were predominantly climbs over rocks and boulders in a swiftly-flowing stream, and the experts route was just as difficult as for the southern experts event in December.

No-one managed to complete the fifth section without losing marks. Wiggins was best there with a single-mark penalty and, with Baker losing nine, it was where Wiggins gained the advantage.

Third-placed Keelan Hancock lost half his total of 25 in the second, fourth and fifth sections. Rob Wrayford incurred three five mark debits in the fifth section, but he still won the clubman expert class by four marks from Ben Skinner.

Stefan Goodman won the clubman class by two marks from Rory Stephens, but Porlock teenager Tom Hooper was, in reality, best in the class with the loss of seven in just three sections, but he was ineligible for the main prize.

Local farmer Ed Pollard, and Simon Thornhill from Plymouth, both lost two marks in the over-50s age class, but the latter lost out on the tie breaker.

Partnered by Anna Etherington on this occasion, Daryl Dale won the sidecar class by three marks from his son Peter and Barry Pocock.

The latter had a three mark advantage on completion of the first lap, but they lost their advantage on lap two.

David Cottle was the best of 37 who contested the Wells and District club's Miller Trial in Binegar Quarry, near Gurney Slade on the Mendips.

Staged over four laps of ten sections he lost marks in only the first section on a mud climb and in the eighth, which featured a climb over loose rocks and a rock outcrop.

Competing on a less demanding course, novice award winners Troy Webb and Daniel Whitty were both unpenalised.

Results: West of England MCC Knill Cup Trial at Ilsington, Devon , main route awards: Experts: R Wiggins (Gas Gas) 11 marks lost; J Baker (Scorpa) 14; K Hancock (Gas Gas) 25; C Stay (Gas Gas) 28; R Hancock (Beta) 43; N Baker (Sherco) 44. Youth A class: J Baker (Gas Gas) 104. Clubman expert awards: R Wrayford (Honda) 31; B Skinner (Gas Gas) 35; K Bushin (Gas Gas) 41; R Broom (Beta) 41; J Bright (Beta) 42; H Pym (Beta) 42. Clubman awards: S Goodman (Honda) 30; R Stephens (Honda) 32; P Norrish (Beta) 37; A Stay (Gas Gas) 40; R Gittins (Honda) 44; A Spry (Gas Gas) 48. Youth A class: L Merrill (Gas Gas) 36; B class: T Hooper (Beta) 7; O Lawer (Beta) 28; G Marshman (Gas Gas) 79. Pastmasters: I Baker (Honda) 20; M Champion (Gas Gas) 24; C Berry (Beta) 27. Novice awards: A Benstead (Beta) 2; G Glover (Gas Gas) 3; R Dobson (Beta) 3; N England (Beta) 3; S Marshman (Montesa) 5; D Smith (Beta) 5. Over 50 years: E Pollard (Montesa) 2; S Thornhill (Beta) 2; N Mackie (Sherco) 3; G Mackie (Sherco) 3. British bike awards: J Ashford (BSA)1; C Dommett (BSA) 4; T Wooldridge (Saracen) 6. Twin shock awards: C Green (Honda) 0; M Gilbert (Fantic) 0; S Eastick (Fantic) 2; T Heard (Fantic) 7; C Williams (Yamaha) 8; D Abrahams (Fantic) 11. Youth B class: J Knight (Gas Gas) 19; B Carter (Beta) 37; D King (Beta) 59. C class: B Green (Beta) 1; T Rendall (Beta) 7; M Marshman (Beta) 23. Sidecar awards: D Dale/A Etherington (Beta) 20; P Dale/B Pocock (Beta) 23; D Tuck/S Chandler (Beta) 25.

Wells & District MCC Trial at Binegar, Somerset: Clubman class awards: D Cottle (Gas Gas) 6 marks lost; C Smith (Beta) 8; J Roberts (Sherco) 8. Novice awards: T Webb (Yamaha) 0; D Whitty (Beta) 0. Youth A class: J Ridgeway (Gas Gas) 14; B class: J Cross (Gas Gas) 19.