HUDDERSFIELD’S Richard Kershaw had to settle for second place in the opening round of the Britpart MSA British Cross-Country Championship at Baden Hall, Staffordshire.

Defending champion Kershaw, driving a Peugeot 206 Evo9, finished four seconds behind Deeside’s Neil Davey with Holywell’s Tim Dilworth third in his Peugeot 206 STi, although if he hadn’t clipped a tree on the final corner of the last run, a potential victory had been in sight.

“When I saw the claggy mud and bad conditions, I would quite happily have settled for second place,” admitted Kershaw. “My car is not really suited to those conditions, but it was a good result under the circumstances and I am quite happy.”