THERE was no end of season atmosphere apparent in the final two matches of the season at Goshen last weekend.

Saturdays's sixth annual staging of the chairman's cup individual event, sponsored by the Duke William pub at Ainsworth, was a great success as twenty four riders battled through qualifying series of races before two great semi-finals and a dramatic and action packed grand final.

Unfortunately, for the Bury riders, three were in contention to the closing stages, it all went horribly wrong.

First Robert Pearce crashed out in a desperate bid to recover from a grid four draw in his semi-final. Ben Scranage and last years winner, Steve Muff, took first and second places in their semi before poor Ben, having broken grid four, moved at the start of the final earning exclusion.

Astley and Tyldesley's Damian Hack and Steve Muff battled for the lead before both crashed and young Jack Hibberd from Sandwell steamed through to take the trophy and the applause. Muff took second with Hack third.

Following an enjoyable evening at the Duke William, the club prepared for the final match, the two league titles still to be decided.

If Bury beat Leicester in the second team match they would be Midland, North Regional Combination Champions and if Leicester won the first team match they could join Stoke and Wednesfield in a three way play off for the title.

Bury put together a solid workmanlike performance in the opening event to win the vital match points 66-52. The dreaded half point coming in heat five with a dead-heat for the important third place point. Bury have won this title for the last three years in succession and thoroughly deserved the celebrations that followed.

Bury scorers -- Matthew Parr 11, Robert Pearce 10+1, Tom Doyle 9, Steve Mann 9+1, Ben Scranage 8, Steve Muff 8+1, Gary Hollingsworth 7+1, John Olijnyk 4-1.

The first team match was a tremendous battle with crashes on the track made slippery through a steady drizzle and no quarter given or asked. Former world champion, Mark Newby, was superb for Leicester with a 20pts maximum but Bury's combined effort won the day -- just 89-88!

Neil Howarth 14+1, Paul Dyson 14, Mark Rushby 14, Ben Scranage 13, Robert Pearce 12+2, Steve Muff 10+1, Dave Morgan 9+2, Dave O'Callaghan 3+1.

Just as we thought it was all over for the winter -- its not.

Robert Pearce and Ben Scranage have received a late call up to ride in an end of season international, invitation event at Wednesfield, Wolverhampton tomorrow at 5pm.