The Stratford Cycling Club held its first club race of the year with the Pukengahu Trust sponsored Hodson Shield around the Pukengahu Block.

Showing good early season form, Dean Ashcroft powered up Bird Hill to the finish ahead of co marker Dave Taylor and front marker Frank "Fast" Hofmans.  Creena Thomason road an almost perfect race only to be caught on the up hill finish to take 5th place.  Fastest time went to Greg Marfell in 60.43 from Mel Titter.  Scratch rode through the Break bunch on the second to last hill, with Blair Cox and Paul Roe finishing the best of the Break group.

Next week is the O2 Project sponsored Walker Shield Interclub Race around the 54km Huiroa Block.