WELSH SOUTH ROAD NATIONAL
by Dixey
Le Mans - June 2012
The third of the Welsh South Road Nationals took place on June 23rd from Le Mans, a distance of aproxx 300 miles to most members. With a moderate south westerly wind many thought it was a race where many of the entries would find it difficult, but race controller Mike Parker and convoyer Phil Fishlock decided a good race was on so, after an 08.00 liberation, the pigeons cleared well and those who thought they would find it hard going wereonce again proved wrong as many of the members had excellent returns with velocities well into the 1300 ypm.
The leaders as expected were once again into the East section and the probable winners are Strickland & Grandsons over in Pontnewyyndd who timed at 14.15. vel 1378.278 to win this on the second decimal. Once again I have given the first 22. Kevin Smith Pontypool 1378.210. M Sparey Abertillery 1365. Mr A Reed Blackwood 1348. G & M Clayton Nr Crumlin 1355. Mr G Treharne Nantyglo 1330. W A Rees Treharris 1329. J & A Rake Caldicot. M r J Smale Llanvihangel 1320. D & G Bruton Tregegar 1319. Mr D Evans Gelligaer 1315. Spencer Jones Abersyachan 1314. Owen & R T Evans & Son Maerdy 1307. Scamel & Peploe Garndiffaith 1289. J J Williams & Son Varteg 1387. Mr D Ford Blaenavon 1287. Morgan & Thorne Abertillery 1286. T Grubb Crumlin 1286. Mr K G Caldwell Abertillery 1282. John Gardner Calidcot 1275. Mr A Webb Llanihilleth 1273. M L Thomas & Son Newport 1233. A Woodman Swansea 1208.
Daniel Strickland holding the Le Mans open winner.
The winning pigeon for Strickland & Grandson is a two year old Cheq cock bred down from the old Busschaert lines going back many years to their original family x with some Van Reets, Van Loon and Braspenning bloodlines and is raced on roundabout. His previous performances include 40th National Falaise and 2nd Welsh South Road Federation from Bedhampton against 3.600 pigeons. To say this loft is on form would be an understatement because the week previously they also topped the Welsh South Road Fed from Bedhampton. Plus they also look good for 5th National in this with their second arrival. Daniel Strickland said that even though his Grandfather has passed away he still keeps his name on the partnership as a matter of respect for his beloved Granddad.
The light cheq cock, winner of the Welsh S.R.N.F.C. Le Mans race.
Into 2nd open is Kevin Smith of Pontypool. Kevin said his winner is a two years old blue hen, and her breeding comes down from the old Jan Aarden bloodlines and she is raced on roundabout. Kevin said that unfortunately he could not compete in the last Welsh S.R.N.F.C. race from Falaise because he was having solar panels being fitted to his house.
Kevin Smith of Pontypool holding his 2nd open winner from Le Mans.
Another top name is probably taking 3rd open, that of Mark Sparey of Abertillery. Mark said that his winner is a blue cock and his last race was from Tours with the BICC when he took over eleven hours. Well he certainly made up for things here. He is raced on widowhood and his dam was bred for Mark by that superb fancier Mark Gilbert being of Vandenabeele bloodlines, her sire being a son of James Bond. Her sire being from Syndicate Lofts of the old Dirk and Jerry lines. The sire of this winner was bred by Williams Bros & Son of Tredegar and it comes down from John Burgham’s Top Ten pigeon, this being in the top ten three times for John from Thurso with the Welsh G.N.F.C. and old Welsh Combine.
Mark Spary of Abertillery holding the 3rd open winner from Le Mans.
The blue cock - 3rd open Le Mans.
Once again Alan Reed of Blackwood is there at 4th open.
G & M Clayton from near Crumlin arein the swim again, this timer having already taken 7th open two weeks previously from Falaise, the bloodlines in this being Jos Thone.
Alan Woodland of Swansea tops the West section. Alan’s winner is a two year old cheq pied hen raced on natural. This being bred from pigeons from Dave Impett, being Brugeman that Alan crossed with a double grandson of Invincible Spirit from Louella. Alan jumped this hen from a training toss in Cardiff to Folkestone, and then into this race from Le Mans.
Alan Woodman of Swansea holding 1st West section Welsh South Road National Le Mans.
Taking 2nd West sect are Fishlock & Roberts, and G R & D Price takes third.
With excellent returns all looks well for the next race from Tours in two weeks' time. Once again our thanks to Secretary Charlie Silver for getting these early time at such short notice.
