TIM Cains and Richard May may have only needed a finish to secure the front-wheel drive title in the MSA Welsh Rally Championship but were made to sweat until the very last.

The Ludlow Castle duo, seeded 52nd ahead of the start, had planned a leisurely saunter to the crown at the Forest of Dean until they hit a rock on the final stage.

Having used a spare gear box that was too highly geared, the collision broke the suspension and caused two punctures.

With just one spare, they made the change and limped back to final control to claim overall first in class collectively with Cains second in his class and May top of his.

Sean Gardener and Ben Innes endured an eventful day which included overshooting bends, crashing into the bushes, taking a wrong turn and hitting a gatepost but battled through treacherous conditions to finish third overall and first out of the cars competing in the Welsh Championship.

Co-driver Keaton Williams guided Andrew Jones to eighth overall and first in class to help his team-mate to third in the Welsh Championship. Jones was the competition's top driver under the age of 25.

Dave Brick and Phil Clarke belied a broken shock absorber and electrical problems to jump from 27th seed to 16th overall and first in class in Brick’s Vauxhall Nova.

Jason Morgan and Jack Bowen brought home the Subaru Impreza in 17th and third in class with an impressive display that made light of the fact Morgan had not competed for 18 months and that Bowen was enjoying his maiden forest event.

Colin and Martin Griffiths lined up as 68th seeds having already sealed their Welsh Championship class crown but beached the BMW on stage two of the final event.

Ludlow Castle Motor Club’s next monthly meeting will be held on December 14 at the Ludlow Brewery (8pm). All are welcome.