There was a battle royal at Lochhouses Farm on Sunday, one of the best ever. A cold cloudy wet day greeted all on Sunday morning although it did not actually rain. There was less of an atmosphere than in December although that was to change very quickly once the race started despite the relatively low entry of 125 dedicated competitors. D3 Racing’s Murray Thomson took the holeshot with Fraser Norrie, Derek Little, Darren Carter and Drysdale Motorcycles Neil Chatham all in hot pursuit. Fraser charged through to the front and was never headed for the remainder of the first lap. Neil was within sight in second and for the next hour they swopped the lead more times than either of them could remember. There was never more than 13 seconds between them as they carved there way through the backmarkers. There was an extreme section for the first time at a Melville but it did not seem to slow the two young terriers as they made it look easy. Fraser stopped for fuel allowing Neil to build a up gap but with a lightening fast pit stop he was soon on his tail again. Neil managed a quick stop and re entered the track right behind Fraser although he needed another stop with Neil having enough petrol in his big tank to make it to the finish. Unbeknown to everyone Neil’s brakes had worn out with the earlier battle and he was struggling to stay ahead. It looked like Neil was going to be caught but Frasers energy was spent with the frantic pace of the early laps allowing Neil to maintain his lead after the Dennis Irvine Superbike ace refuelled. Neil could not believe it as he had consider stopping once his brakes had gone but he persevered and took his most satisfying win so far. Fraser Norrie looked exhausted but the two shook hands at the finish, they both knew they had put on a great show and they had both ridden brilliantly. Murray Thomson finished third having looked like a circling shark waiting on his pray to fall and pick up the pieces, Derek little was not far behind with a gaggle of experts making the finish. The old guard have to give best to the young guns coming through the ranks in Scotland on this occasion. The full results will be available later this week with these results very provisional at this point.