Coming into round four the title chase was wide open, with the top seven crews split by just twenty-five points. In that mix, but not participating, were the Birchall brothers and Tim Reeves/Greg Cluze. It had not escaped the entire grid that there were massive opportunities at stake.

Qualifying would give a pointer as to who might benefit the most. It turned out to be a catastrophic session for series leader Roger Lovelock, who crashed on his own fluid leakage, having earlier in the proceedings, also eliminated the on-form Ben Bygrave/Justin Sharp (Blue Machinery Suzuki) on the same spillage. Both riders took no further part in the proceedings.

Race One

From the outset, Ricky Stevens/Ryan Charlwood (AOS Be Wiser Kawasaki) made their intentions clear, setting the standard into turn one. Andy Peach/Charlie Richardson (L&W Kawasaki) matched them, claiming the lead when Stevens outbraked himself, dropping four places. Sean Hegarty/James Neave (Hegarty Racing Suzuki) were very much in the hunt, briefly slotting into second place from Tony Brown/Sam Christie (Paymundo.com Kawasaki) and Ben Holland/Lee Watson (Finning Cat Kawasaki).

It looked at this stage as if Peach was going to clear off, as he built a four second lead by lap four. Stevens had other ideas, knew he had to make amends, and got his head down. Tony Brown was firmly in second as Hegarty retired with mechanical issues. Moments later, Brown was sideways, spinning it round, eventually to capsize, injuring Sam Christie.

Meanwhile, Steve Kershaw/Rob Wilson on the Express Tyres/Blinkbonny Kawasaki, acutely aware of what they needed to do, overhauled Ben Holland to claim the final podium step. Stevens passed Peach, and built a two-second cushion before the flag came out.

Gary Horspole/ Jimmy Connell rode a solitary, but strong race to fifth and valuable points. All in all, it was a fantastic race, with a very good mid-field scrap between Ian Guy/Dan Evanson, Rupert Archer and new passenger Steve Thomas, Ian Drowne/Jed Pilmoor-Brady and a revitalised Gary Bryan/Jamie Winn. The latter, fresh from a silver replica at the TT, got his best result by far on the Santander Salt Kawasaki.

Result

1/Stevens/Charlwood, 2/ Peach/Richardson, 3/Kershaw/Wilson, 4/Holland/Watson, 5/Horspole/Connell (LCR Suzuki), 6/ Gary Bryan/Jamie Wynn, (Santander Salt Kawasaki), 7/Ian Guy/Dan Evanson (L&W Suzuki, 8/ Rupert Archer/Steve Thomas (Hannafin Suzuki), 9/Brian Gray/Ben Ransley (BGR Powerbiking Yamaha) 10/ Ian Drowne/Jed Pilmoor-Brady (MRR Kawasaki).

Race Two

Sean Hegarty, the reigning champion was at the back of the grid with a mountain to climb, but as Andy Peach grabbed the lead, followed by Ricky Stevens, he set about working through the field. The pace at the front was incredible fierce, and Steve Kershaw/Rob Wilson were charging in a fine third place. This was challenged race-long by Ben Holland/Lee Watson and eventually the pressure prevailed.

Hegarty meanwhile, worked his way through a mid-race scrap involving at least six outfits all locked in a massive battle. Ian Guy/Dan Evanson, Gary Bryan/Jamie Wynn, Brian Gray/Ben Ransley and Ian Drowne/Jed Pilmoor/Brady.These crews had the crowd on its toes as the two-man duel raged at the front. There was no doubt that Ricky Stevens was desperate to make it two in a row, but Andy Peach was tenacious to the end.

Meanwhile, a dejected Sean Hegarty retired into pit-lane after achieving the impossible, gaining a podium position.

Result

1/ Peach/Richardson, 2/ Stevens/Charlwood, 3/ Holland/Watson, 4/ Kershaw/Wilson, 5/ Guy/Evanson, 6/ Drowne/Pilmoor-Brady. 7/ Archer/Thomas, 8/ Bryan/Wynn, 9/ Gray/Ransley, 10/ MacLaurin/Hope.
Standings – Stevens/Charlwood 110. Peach/Richardson 87.5, Kershaw/Wilson 74.5, Lovelock/Alto 67, Birchall/Birchall 50, Guy/Evanson c 1048.5, Holland/Watson 48 Reeves/Cluze 45. Brown/Christie 43.5