The 41-year-old veteran defied his sketchy form to take the honours in the Eric Turner Memorial club criterium championships.

Morgan was ''surprised" to cross the finish line first in a star-studded field at the VUT Circuit in Hoppers Crossing on Saturday.

"I haven't had a win for over a year," he said. "I've had some patchy form over the last six months.

"I'd put that down to being 41 and started to resign myself to not winning too many races in the future."

The Agrade champion had to stave off a talented crop that included defending champion Steve Pilson, gun sprinter Dom Dudkiewicz, former winner Graham Carlson and a host of young up-and-comers.

Ben O'Leary, Chris Zucchet, Steve Antonella and Morgan broke away and established a half-lap lead, and going

into the last corner Zucchet could sniff success until he lost control and crashed.

Antonella was forced into evasive action, leaving Morgan and O'Leary in a sprint to the finish which Morgan won.

Meanwhile, perennial bridesmaid Mark Micallef managed to hold off gun sprinters Colin Morris and Delphine Astier in Bgrade.

Tarneit's Andrew Schieseck staved off a bunch finish to beat teenage sensation Stephen Liley in Cgrade.

And the Dgrade trophy went to newcomer Glen Detering, who beat Tim Marcus and Glenn Wilkins.