| After 10 dry Wednesdays the heavens opened for the last of the 2002 Poacher Trophy Series at Otby; not that this deterred the 34 competitors who pitted themselves against the elements and contours of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Planner Pete Harris rang the changes with a Norwegian type long course relying on map memory. Uneven slippery slopes combined with in parts elephant size grass, provided runners with a physical as well as a navigational challenge. Another win for Max Guscott reaffirmed his league title win; behind him John Bennett showed the benefit of Scottish training and Mike Smith also returning from injury ran well as did Paddy Neligan who recovered well after his Normanby Park horror story. The short course had the benefit of pre-marked maps with Henry Rayment doing enough to consolidate his runner-up position in the league just ahead of Junior Trophy winner Ben Offler. 2002 POACHER TROPHY WINNERS Junior Champion Ben Offler (Halo) Ladies Champion Dorothy Smith(Halo) Short Course Champion Pete Harris(Halo) Masters Champion Neil Harvatt(Halo) Long Course Champion Max Guscott(Hull University) |