MACHYNLLETH’S Osian Pryce secured another podium finish at the third round Grampian Forest Stages in the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship.

Having finished third in the opening two rounds, he went one better this time around, finishing behind winner Matthew Wilson, who stormed to his first victory in the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship since 2005.

With championship leader, Llandudno’s Matt Edwards having to retire with a nagging but small misfire in his Melvyn Evans Motorsport, team-mate Pryce is now just one point behind in the standings.

Pryce said: “Not the win we hoped for, but second place will do, although we were promoted to second after Matt (Edwards) and Darren (Garrod) had retired.

“Far from the prefect day for us, but we have learnt from it, and know what we need to do to the car to make it more to my liking. Hopefully then we can give it 100 per cent.

“Great job by Noel (O’Sullivan) and the whole team today. Now only one point away from the Championship lead. So things are looking up.”

• In the hotly contested Junior British Rally Championship, there was disappointment for Aberystwyth co-driver Gareth Parry who led the way with driver Ruari Bell for most of the rally before an electrical issue forced them out.

After storming to a win in the Round Two Nicky Grist Stages the pair had been hoping to push on but it wasn’t to be on this occasion.

Parry said: “Not the weekend we wanted, not even close.

“From the highs of Round 2 the ME Rallysport team seemingly wins together and loses together. The pace from all three was very much there but the luck wasn’t. We’ll take the positives from it come back stronger at the Trackrod in September.”