Last Saturday, the teenage Fermanagh bike racing duo of Melissa Kennedy and Josh Elliott were back in action at Kirkistown, Co. Down.
Aboard their Aprilia 125 machines, they did their teams proud by bringing home some silverware.
The early morning weather was wet, but with strong winds, it began to dry up as practice loomed leaving the track patchy. Young Elliott, who had caused quite a stir with a win in his first ever big bike race two weeks ago at Mondello Park, set the pace with provisional pole and Melissa was in the hunt too in third.
With the track drying more, Elliott proved too hot to handle for the championship regulars in timed qualifying and posted the fastest time over two seconds ahead of championship leader Scott Wilson from Bangor. The Florencecourt girl had a good qualifying too and ended up fifth on the grid.
Race one was a two-part affair as it was stopped after three laps when a rider fell at the chicane. Elliott had a poor start but managed to take the lead from Wilson before the stoppage.
Kennedy, after a great start had moved up to third place. After a long delay, the second part was reduced from eight to four laps. Wilson made a blistering start with Kennedy and Elliott chasing. Kennedy held off her Fermanagh colleague until the chicane as they chased Wilson. As Elliott dived into the chicane, the unfortunate Wilson trying hard to get away, lost the front on cold tyres and went down. As Elliott watched his main rival slide out of contention he pulled away at the front for victory, as Kennedy fought to hold second. Despite her valiant efforts, Bangor boy Jonny Annett managed to catch her on aggregate time, but third was a super result.
Race two was a less complicated straight eight-lap affair and again Elliott got a poor start from pole position.
Wilson, out to make amends, again led away at the front after a blistering start as the pack chased. Elliott clearly had other ideas and took a few laps to hunt down the Bangor lad.
Despite defending his line superbly for two laps, Wilson was not able to hold off the hard charging Ballinamallard boy, and Elliott put a clinical out-braking manoeuvre on him into the chicane on lap three. After that the result was never in doubt, as Wilson began to fall back into the clutches of the chasing pack suffering some ill effects of his previous crash.
Kennedy fought hard to grab another podium place after a good start, but it was not to be this time and she still crossed the line in a very good sixth place.
Melissa's efforts were not missed by the organisers as she not only received a cup for her third in race one, but was also presented the 'Steve Baker Motorcycle female of the meeting' award.
Speaking after the meeting, Melissa stated, "I was very surprised but really delighted to receive the female of the meeting award. It was a fabulous way to end a great day's racing!"
Meanwhile, the 'rookie' Elliott, in only his second race meeting, went home very happy too with a pole position, double victory and fastest laps in each race.
When the quiet 13-year-old was asked for his thoughts on the day, he commented, "I've had a great day, but I wish Scott hadn't crashed in the first race. He might be a top rival and championship leader, but he's also my friend."
