Walker proves to be too strong in Track League

In total, Walker claimed four victories, with Halesowen's Oliver Dighton trailing in second three times and Jason Duckworth also claiming a runners-up spot.

Beacon Cycling Club's Steve Croggan claimed most of the points in the B category with Halesowen's Matt Harris his closest competitor.

Meanwhile, in the older of the youth groups, Massimo Divito ran out winner despite a strong challenge from William Gomer and the rapidly improving Liam Allen.

Home riders claimed all the top spots in the second youth group as Alex Barker just got the better of Nathan Burns and Joseph Brookes.

The freewheelers, the youngest category of racing, was also hotly contested with Will Lewis holding out for overall first on the night ahead of a three-way tie for second place with Ellie Swingell, Ollie Cramp (Redditch) and Thomas Brookes.

This was the third round of this year's league, which runs every Friday night at the Manor Way track until September.

Halesowen's riders were also out in force for Saturday's West Midlands Regional Championships in Curborough where an attack from the start by Oliver Dighton set up an enthralling under-16s race.

He was joined by Wolverhampton's Will Lewis and Lichfield's Toby Barnes out front. After plenty of tactical riding on the final lap, it was Lewis who claimed victory in the final sprint with Barnes second and Dighton taking third.

Halesowen's Alex Barker finished eighth in the under-14s race after a bunch finish, with Josh Field finishing 12th. There was more success in the under-8s event for Hales as Ella Harris claimed a bronze medal in the girl's race and Danielle finished just behind in fourth.

In the under-eight boys' race, the winner was too close to call immediately and the judges reverted to the timing transponders which gave the victory to Joshua Jackson from Lyme, with Halesowen rider Luke Harris having to be content with second place on a time difference of just one hundredth of a second.

Halesowen's Joseph Hobbs, meanwhile, showed good form in the recent Ras de Cymru stage race in Wales, finishing in the bunch on every stage in what was an extremely competitive.

Young riders Dighton, Adam Holmes and Forest Lambert-Humphries also rode well in a race which should serve as a solid learning experience.