IT was not so much a case of ‘lamb to the slaughter’ but quite the reverse as new-kid-on-the-block, Mark Lamb, from Threlkeld, pulled off a thrilling victory in the famous and historic Kilnsey Crag Race.

Although having already struck some high chords in events elsewhere including for England, this was the first time that the rising young Lakeland star had tackled the widely renowned Upper Wharfedale classic. And he grasped his opportunity in champion style, albeit with a little to spare at the finishing tape.

Indeed, only five seconds separated the first three after the lead had fluctuated on multiple occasions both up and down the landmark limestone monolith prior to the Threshfield shepherd leaping the roadside wall and beck with the scent of victory in his nostrils. Lamb then held on resolutely from a previous champion, Tynesider Nick Swinburn, on the final run for glory. The winner’s time being a speedy, albeit outside the record, 8 minutes three seconds.

Swinburn (8.06) finished second and another Kilnsey newcomer, Chesterfield’s Finlay Grant (8.08) - recent winner of two historic showpieces at Ambleside and Grasmere Sports - finished third.

The ‘Spirecite’ might well have upstaged the pair of his closest rivals but he blundered in Kilnsey’s notorious ‘chimney’ which has played many a vital role in determining the final outcome on numerous occasions past. But he nonetheless played an integral part in another thrilling Kilnsey spectacle.

Defending champion and house favourite, Ted Mason (8.18), from Appletreewick, himself unceremoniously hitting the gravel midst the precarious descent, produced another gutsy performance to finish fourth and at least captured both the Vet 40 and 1st local awards. Then, after ‘Tenacious Ted’ in fifth came another multiple past winner, Simon Bailey (8.33) from the Macclesfield locality.

He was followed home by the first of the lesser celebrated competitors, Jack Walton (8.53), from Keighley, in sixth.

Three others from Craven who eminently made the top dozen were Tom Barrett (8.58) from Gargrave, Ben Whitehead (9.04) from Barnoldswick and Matthew Athersmith (9.13) from Skipton.

Amongst the rest of the 90 competitors in the men folk there was also a particularly fine performance from Ian Willis, (9.57) from Sutton in 20th position and first home in the Vet 50 class.

Keen competition also abounded in the incorporated women’s race and, where victory honours were splendidly achieved by a former England junior international star, Helen Smith - formerly Glover (10.49) in 26th overall. The Keighley dog-groomer had stylishly clipped some spirited challengers of whom Kiri Wood (11.24) from Linton Falls finished runner-up and first local lady amongst the female contestants. Kirsty Hall (11.35) from Threshfield finished third and first lady Vet 40. Former rugby league star turned fell runner Hannah Baines (12.33) from Settle finished fourth and Jean Powell (13.19) just edging inside the top fifty overall, finished fifth and first lady Vet 50.

There was also much to savour amongst the younger age groups not least of all in the Under 17 crag race where a stirring battle ensued for the premier accolade, and with victory finally being achieved by Trawden’s William Walker (8.33) hard driven all the way to the line to deny a terrific challenge from Settle’s Jack Sanderson (8.35), himself just up on age group following a successful Under 14 campaign. Meanwhile, the Walkers family needing little introduction regarding the Dales fell racing score as father, David, and grandfather, Harry Walker, had hitherto won the Three Peaks Race amongst much else.

Third place in the Under 17 event was achieved by Archie Peaker (8.55) from Bingley while where was another class act performance for the Under 17 girls title by the defending champion Amelie Lane (9.44) who hails from Ilkley but with family roots in the Kilnsey showfield parish. Runner up in the Under 17 girls was Bethan Buckley (10.35) from Keighley and third finisher was Glusburn’s Olivia Aldham (10.27) another recently selected England international.

Top honours in the incorporated Under 14 race were eminently achieved by Ben Brassington (9.25) from Arkholme, ahead of Henry Ward (9.51) from Chorley and Will Pease (10.28) from Barnoldswick. And leading the charge amongst the Under 14 girls was Bethan Buckley (10.35) from Keighley ahead of Millie Jebb (10.52) from Staveley and Izzy Wright (11.26) from Keighley.

An eagerly contested Under 12 event resulted in Josh Dent (6.47) - third last year - moved up to take the mantle of older brother, Jamie, and return the winner’s trophy to the family home at Carlton in Coverdale. Second boy was Ben Law (6.54) and third amongst the lads came Thomas Jebb (6.56) cousin of Millie Jebb, from Bingley. And yet another Jebb family member, Isla, from Staveley, galloped home first in the Under 12 girls ahead of Alice Carr (7.13) from Rossendale and Bleu Bailey (7.48) from Macclesfield.

Isaac Reedley (7.04) from Hetton in fifth place overall won the top local award.

Presenting a pleasing forerunner to the crag races were the handicap track events particularly the 100 metres where back marker and England schools finalist Freddy Brown, from Skipton, came through to snatch a narrow victory ahead of Nathan Hird from Silsden and last year’s winner Tom Darwin, from Malham. And enjoying a field day, Helen Smith, later to become ladies champion in the senior crag race, won the metric mile handicap at the main expense respectively of former winners Arthur Peel from Malham and Mick Malyon, from Baildon.

And, as seemingly always providing a grand finale to the main arena attractions was the harness racing. Indeed a grand finale it proved to be and not least of all the final of the principle event where the County Durham trained Ayr Rhythm ad brilliantly driven by Scottish star Ryan Inglis, from Stirling, just held on to win by a short head from the fast finishing Bobby Camden, also trained in County Durham and driven by one of the ever resplendent Haythornthwaite clan from Barnoldswick, namely Richard.

Making it a three way short heads finish was American Mistress owned and trained by Vicki Gill, of York. The Ratings Race resulted in a dead heat between another County Durham raider, Mayfire driven by the former rugby league star James Haythornthwaite from Barnoldswick who shared the victory spoils with the Irish challenger Springhill KG driven by Selby’s Andrew Cairns.

Phew! What a day. Kilnsey might not be the ‘greatest show on Earth’ but, bah gum, it will take some beating.