Jonny Leonard finished as the best of the local drivers on the Trailer Parts and Spares Lakeland Stages Rally, claiming fifth overall on the Enniskillen Motor Club-organised event.

Leonard negotiated the tricky wet forestry roads in the west of the county to bring his Fiesta R5 home over a minute behind winners Desi Henry and Paddy Robinson, but it was Ballinamallard navigator Caolan McKenna who sealed the honour of top local finisher, as he navigated Dromore’s Conor McCourt to third overall.

More than 60 cars tackled the traditional stages of the Enniskillen-based event, with conditions proving a challenge as the rain fell incessantly.

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Desi Henry went into the event as favourite for victory following his recent success in Davagh Forest two weeks ago, and he took the lead on the second stage and was never headed as he eased to an 11-second victory over Cathan McCourt.

The two-wheel drive battle was expected to be a closely contested affair and Fivemiletown’s Shane McGirr was hoping to take the top spot, but he retired from the event on stage three with Alan Smyth claiming the prize.

Jody McManus was making his debut in his new Mitsubishi and he posted the fourth-fastest time on the opening test before he was caught by a right-hand bend on stage two, and he dropped off the road and into retirement.

Dominic Leonard and Martin Baxter from Enniskillen were also out in a Mitsubishi, and they were languishing sixth in class after the opening test, but surged through the pack over the second half of the six-stage event, rising to claim third place and 15th overall by the finish.

There were local class awards throughout the field as the strong Fermanagh contingent contested their home event.

Raymond Johnston finished strongly to claim third in class five in his Ford Escort, snatching a podium position on the final stage of the rally.

Sammy Scollan and Dominic McGurren brought their Corsa home second in class two, with William Graham retiring from the class just two stages into the rally.

Drew Chambers and Niall McCarron took the class one win in their Peugeot 206, and Enniskillen’s Richard Thompson and Damien Britton claimed third in class six.