Round 13: Mercian, 21 October

John Fack beat reigning champion Ian Bell to victory in the Mercian trial at Long Compton with a winning margin of just four points.

Conditions proved extremely slippery, with morning fog adding to the challenge. Bell took the early lead ahead of Fack and former champion Ian Wright, but slipped back to second after a rollover in the second round.

Fack held the lead throughout the final round despite dropping eight points. Bell remained second, while Duncan Stephens finished third for the fourth time this year. Notably, the top four places were filled by the last four British champions.

Results1 John Fack / Aaron Dyer (MSR) 17 marks lost2 Ian Bell / Russell Sharp (Hamilton) 21 marks lost3 Duncan Stephens / Andrew Egger (Crossle) 23 marks lost

Provisional championship standings1 Tom Bricknell137 points2 Ian Bell1293 Roland Uglow119