Racing proved even before hitting Hamiltonsbawn then the riders turned left towards Marlacoo and attacks out of the peleton started around the Tandragee 100 race circuit.

The Richhill-based Juiced Orchard had a strong presence in the race - with Alister Fiddes, Lester Fiddes, Andy Burns, Marty Graham, Darren Boyd, Peter Williams, Shaun Gray and Neil Laverty each ensuring any early attacks were quickly pulled back.

On lap four, a group of four comprising Mark Greer (Maryland), Gray (Juiced Orchard), Kevin Lynch (Newry Wheelers) and Gary Crory (U/A) managed to slip off the front and gain a telling advantage over the main field.

This looked like the winning move of the day but the break lost some of its firepower when Gray had to abandon due to a mechanical problem.

Quickly realising what had happened, Alister Fiddes and Graham pushed the peleton on to close the gap. Despite this effort, the gap remained at 20 seconds going on to the last lap. Efforts were made to reduce this deficit but the gap remained as the riders turned at Parkes’ Corner to race the final five miles back to Richhill.

Those in the chasing bunch had the leaders in sight and, with the finish coming up fast, the Orchard riders moved up the peleton ahead of the steep climb up Tandragee Street and Irish Street towards the line.

In the end, however, Crory claimed the honours with Greer second and Lynch third - Williams was leading Orchard rider thanks to finishing fifth.

Thanks go to Peter Lyness of Groucho’s Bar, PSNI, St John Ambulance and Shelboune Motors (Portadown).