Ross duo Dan Gray and Mike Jode's day went from good to bad in the I M Gray Plumbing/Heating Wye Valley Garage Peugeot 106.

They got off to a great start with a stunning time on the first stage to lead the class by over a minute. They then went off course into a stream at the end of the following test. This meant they had to take the maximum time allowed for that stage and take retirement.

They rejoined the trophy rally catching cars every stage but on the final stage they went off again and down a bank, where they stayed.

"It has been a mixed day, but we got valuable mileage in the car, for me and Dan to gel, and when we had a clean stage it was flowing really well and the times were good," said Jode.

The event was won by rising star Tom Cave with Craig Parry in an Impreza.

Another local crew had a better day at last Sunday's Coracle Stages held in the Sweet Lamb complex. Sixty-five crews lined up for the 40 competitive miles at the Mid Wales venue.

Cinderford's Jason Morgan had the experienced Adie Williams on the notes in the Winner Garage/Forest Auto Salvage Peugeot 106 and they got off to a steady start.

As thick fog greeted crews on the opening test, Morgan dropped a further 20 seconds when they were slowed by a car that had gone off in front of them.

From then on the duo stamped their authority on the class to come home 34th and first in Class after an excellent drive.