A CAPACITY crowd of NSW bull riding fans were treated to a night of highs and lows in the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, as home town favourite Lachlan Richardson produced three great rides to secure his first Australian Cup Series win moving him one step closer to his rival Dave Kennedy in the race for the Australian title.
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Round one of the competition saw Rookie of the Year challenger, Sam O'Connor take an early lead with an 88-point score aboard "Madness", followed by US's Havre Stewart and New Zealand's Fraser Babbington who tied second and third with 86-point scores.
Overall event winner Richardson placed equal third and fourth in the first round with 84.5 points.
The second round was also be dominated by the bull riders, with more than 60 per cent of the bulls ridden.
Local favourite Richardson backed up his first round ride by adding an 89-point score aboard George Hempenstall's "Buster" giving him a 5.5 point lead going into the championship round.
Come time for the championship round, the atmosphere was electric with three of the top eight positions filled with local favorites Ben Jones and Jason O'Hearn, as well as Richardson.
Joining the NSW boys in the final chapter were three internationals - Stewart, Dirteater and Babbington along with former 2011 PBR Australian Champion Jock Connolly.
Richardson made no hesitation in selecting two-time Bucking Bull of the Year "Lab Rat".
Last to choose a bull in the bull draft selection was Jones who had no choice but to take the big eliminator "Bitter and Twister", previously unridden for three years.
Jones would overcome the reputation of Bitter and Twister, making the eight and marking an impressive 85.5-point score to give him an early lead.
The next three, Stewart, Dirteater and O'Hearn, would go unsuccessful in their picks.
The scene was set as Richardson out rode champion bull Lab Rat.
It was one sweet win for Richardson.
The PBR Riders now head north to Brisbane Entertainment Centre for the Brisbane Invitational on July 14 where Kennedy will be looking to retain his lead for the Australian title.