For the third time in as many events - driving the Llandysul Spencer Sport prepared Ford Fiesta R5 - Osian Pryce and co-driver Dale Furniss scored a podium finish on a round of the 2017 Prestone MSA British Rally Championship.

Their second place on the RSAC Scottish Rally added to the third and second places scored already this season and places them second in the championship standings, just four points off the lead.

The fourth round of the championship sees the surface change from gravel to asphalt, when competitors head overseas for the Ypres Rally. This two-day Belgium classic takes place on June 23-24 and features the infamously demanding stages in the West Flanders region.

Back in Scotland, in the Spencer Sport-run Fiesta R2, 19-year old James Williams from Newcastle Emlyn drove his best championship event to date, although sixth place in the junior category didn't realistically reflect his efforts. He was accompanied by experienced co-driver Dai Roberts who made his debut with the team.

The third round of the British Rally Championship was centred around its service area near Lockerbie. The competitive element of the event featured 75 miles, split into two stages on Friday evening and a further eight stages during Saturday, in the neighbouring Ae and Eskdalemuir forests.

Cars were flagged away at a ceremonial start in the centre of Dumfries before tackling the first pair of stages - a double-run over an 8.8-mile stretch of road named Mount Joe.

The rocky gravel surface was to catch out a number of competitors and unfortunately, Osian and Dale were one of those who suffered a puncture just three miles into SS2, which forced them to drive the remaining five miles with a flat rear tyre.

With around 20-seconds lost, the Welshmen checked in for the overnight halt in fifth place and whilst deflated with the circumstances, were fired up to fight back the following day.

The first two stages saw Osian and Dale's determination pay off, as they had moved up to third but were now just over 30 seconds behind the leaders, Fredrik Ählin (the winner of the first two rounds) and local driver David Bogie.

Realising that it would be difficult to make up the deficit, the Spencer Sport pair instead focussed on their own battle for third with Martin McCormack and Keith Cronin.

At times there were just fractions of seconds separating the battling trio, Osian and Dale doing just enough to stay ahead of McCormack and Cronin.

The Welsh pair did all they could to retain the position and went on to set the fastest time through final stage.

"This has been such a tough rally. We're very happy to get to the finish and to secure another podium place is fantastic for us", said Osian. "Although we want to win every rally, knowing what the stages can be like we came here with the championship in mind, so to be four points off the lead is just what we were hoping for."

Team mates James and Dai also suffered from the event's rocky surface and on Friday evening and were disappointed to have collected two front punctures on SS2.

Consequently, they were delighted to make it to the finish as sixth junior crew and 15th overall.