| The combination of Neil Harvatt's astute planning and Laughton Forest's summer vegetation growth prevented all but one of the competitors bettering 10 minutes per kilometre. That one was Bawtry's Paul Beresford who recorded his first ever Poacher maximum beating last week's winner John Bennett by just 25 seconds. Early finisher Andy Houlden had a storming run in third as did ultra vet Mark Tyszka with a brilliant fifth place. The short course was dominated by two former regulars on the long -Dave Offler and John Butler and it was pleasing to see them returning to the fold. The surprise was Kim Powlesland who beat numerous more experienced orienteers to finish a great third. The 2003 series ends next week at Normanby le Wold on well contoured pastureland- a very different challenge to Laughton Forest. Afterwards the Queen's Head at North Kelsey Moor hosts the Poacher Presentations which will include several unadvertised awards. |