HALESOWEN Cycling Club's junior road riders put in some encouraging performances last weekend.

Pedmore's Charles Walker again finishing as the club's leading rider when he finished seventh in the 50 mile Derby Mercury Road Race with team-mates Sam Dighton and Joe Hobbs finishing in the main bunch.

There were some doubt as to whether Dighton would be in a fit state to ride in the race following the previous weekend when he was forced to drop out of the Evesham Vale RR suffering from a chest infection. He was therefore very pleased to finish such a hard race.

Meanwhile, Brad Simkin, 16, competing in his first ever road race, rode very well to finish just off the back of the main bunch in the 48 miles Two Counties Road Race held near to Bridgnorth.

Simkin was well supported by veteran rider Will Fotheringham.

The event was won in fine style by Oldswinford's Tom Swingler, 20, who crossed the line on his own some two minutes ahead of the main field having broken away with nine miles remaining. Swingler who studying at Aberystwyth University was delighted with his win and is due to join Halesowen Cycling Club in the near future.