| Planner Malcolm Humphrey must be congratulated on producing two excellent courses on this the most demanding physical area of the Poacher Series. Few would have identified the hilly terrain as a part of Lincolnshire with competitors being reduced to walking pace on some of the steep slopes. Control sites such as crag foot and rocky depression were atypical in this largely agricultural county. Runners encountered not only slopes but luxuriant vegetation and rutted ground created by the bovine fraternity and soil creep, and an added distraction were the two white bulls - fortunately not into orienteering! Dean Field returned to form with a win on the long course seconds ahead of Trophy Leader Neil Harvatt with Paul Beresford close behind in third.Both Mike Robinson and Pete Harris excelled to earn top six placings on a course with nearly 900ft of climb.Junior Zac Field gained another maximum points haul on the short course with his mother having a great run under five minutes behind in second. There is a problem with kite collection at the end - Neil Harvatt and Mark Tyszka have been lumbered at nearly every event with this onerous task - so next year we will be introducing a rota system to spread the work - you have been warned! Next week the final event takes place at Pillar Wood - a superb area. Afterwards the end of season trophy giving will take place - again at The Queen's Head, Kelsey Moor. All are welcome. |