MATT Clarke’s fine win in the Andy Poole Severn Valley RR led Halesowen Cycling Club’s academy team to a bounce back weekend.

In a field including several elite riders, Clarke got away with a group of 10 on the second lap and worked hard to keep the gap to the finish of the 80 mile race.

Clarke followed the wheels up the final climb and waited until the last drag to the end to launch his sprint going as hard as he could all the way to the finish, crossing the line ahead of the breakaway.

Halesowen teammate Jack Stanton Warren caught the group just before the finish climb and placed fourth, while the club were well represented with Nick Clayton and Simon Pheysey policing the main peloton and deterring the chase.

At the U16 level, both Jamieson Blain and Henry Lloyd-Langston – new academy riders for next year – were in action.

The pair attacked the field in the final round of the West Midlands Youth series with Jamison taking full honours and Henry second spot.

The result meant that Halesowen won the series and Jamieson Blain took overall second place in the U16 series.

He also then went on to race at the Wallingford Cycling festival the following day with another podium finish coming in second place.