Christian Henry missed out on a chance to collect some silverware (or should it be bronzeware?) at Ashfield on Sunday. He won the Helmet against David Mason of Rye House Rockets only to lose it two hours or so later to Jamie Smith of Somerset Rebels.

The Bronze Helmet is raced at the end of some Conference League matches. The holder is challenged by the top scoring rider (programmed rides only) on the opposing team. The holder was David Mason of Rye House Rockets. Christian Henry scored 10 points from his four programmed rides with a total of 13 points from five rides. Steven McAllister scored 15 points in total but took seven rides. In his four programmed rides he scored 9 points.

Christian lost the toss and David Mason opted for the outside gate. Mason was first away and seemed set to hold his trophy until Christian produced a stunning outside pass in front of the grandstand through a gap which did not seem to be there.

Normally Christian would have held the Bronze Helmet until the next home meeting. As it happens the next meeting started immediately after as Ashfield were running a double header.

In the match between Lightning and Somerset Rebels, Jamie Smith was the top visitor with an 18-point maximum. Steve Bishop scored 14 paid 16 from six rides but dropped a point to Steven McAllister in his third programmed ride.

Christian started out looking like he was going to go through the card in the Rye House meeting but faded slightly towards the end. In the Somerset meeting, either he or his bike was suffering from tiredness and he failed to win one of his three heats. He ran second in heats 1, 6, and 10. He did not take a rider replacement outing and was replaced in heat 13 and hid to appear in heat 15.

Christian was in the outside gate against Jamie Smith. They clashed on the first bend and both came off. The pair were invited back into the re-run but much the same happened. Christian lifted slightly and was marginally behind Smith into the first bend when Henry had his front wheel taken away and fell. Both were back for the second re-run. Smith edged ahead from the gates and despite trying everything Henry was unable to get back on terms. He fell at the first bend on the last lap and was excluded.

Had Christian survived that challenge, he would have had only one match against Sheffield at Ashfield to negotiate in order to retain the Bronze Helmet until next season.

Heat details of the two matches are available on Armadale Live.