The 2025 Reg Bowker Trial at Warren Heath, Blackbushe staged by Hookwood Trials Club on 14 December was again the final round of both Thames Valley Trails Combine & Star Group Trials championships.
One hundred and one adult & 23 youth riders tackled 2 laps of 18 sections around a 6-mile challenging, hilly & loamy forestry lap with a special test to decide ties. Previous event winners Sam Connor, Thomas Moss and Phil Wiffen were joined by Trial GB regulars Daniel Da Breo and Jake Challice in a battle for top honours. Throw in Southern and South Eastern aces, Brian Francis, Oliver Gray, Tom McCabe, Hugh Barker, Ben Smith, Mason Meadows, Dan Beaven, Jack Taylor and there were some very close scores in the packed 22 rider Expert class.
Sam Connor put on a masterclass, cleaning every section of the day to take the win, as well as posting the fastest special test time of day with a rapid 22:22 seconds. Sam’s clean ride was even more remarkable as he also guided his children Rosy, Arthur and their friends through the event. Daniel Da Breo and Thomas Moss had a really close battle, both finishing on 6ml, with Daniel bagging 2nd Expert spot in favour of the faster special test time of 22:56 seconds. Youth Expert winner, Richie Keet is growing in stature and posted a 34ml score which would have placed him, mid pack amongst the adult experts.
The vastly experienced Kevin Nolan was in a class of his own, losing just 6ml in the 32-rider strong intermediate class. Ashley Hall lives so close to the forest that he rode his bike to the event, won the Over 40’s on just 7ml and then rode home again.
The Youth Intermediate class was hotly contested with close scores right down the order, Tommy Keet, Howard Mumford, Joseph Baker, had a fantastic battle with Tommy shading the win with the loss of 16ml.
There were some very low scores on the Novice red route with standout single figure rides posted by Paul Drane, Russ Olivant, Dave Renham, Anthony Billingham, John Dismore. Hector Kemp and Rueben Keet had a close battle, with Hector taking the win in the Youth Novice class. Local legends Arthur Frearson and Dave Wiffen enjoyed some friendly rivalry finishing just marks apart on the yellow route.
The club offer many thanks to all the observers & marshals who gave up their day to provide riders with a great day’s sport and look forward seeing everyone again at Warren Heath for the 2026 Reg Bowker Trial.
Click here to see full results in pdf file
