| A combination of School Half Term, a more distant location from the majority of Poacher venues, and particularly the memory of past struggles on this area resulted in the lowest turnout for a Poacher event for over 2 years. This was unfortunate as planner Andy Houlden produced two excellent challenging courses that required the utmost concentration, using electronic punching to eliminate the need for second maps on this small area. N.P. is unrecognizable from a few years ago as the vegetation has matured necessitating constant remapping. The results board had an unfamiliar look to it especially on the Short course where there was a sensational win for the Pickworths, probably their best ever - certainly in the many years they have been taking part in the Poacher. Just behind them a great run from Halo's Dorothy Smith. Normanby expert Neil Harvatt, who seems to know every little path in this small area, claimed maximum points again to move up the league table. Logger John Bennett excelled in fourth a shade over a minute behind younger clubmate Steve Bones. Laptop supremo Brian Slater found the going to his liking scoring an impressive 43 points ; planner of the last event of the series, Malcolm Humphrey, also navigated well to score his highest points in recent years. Praise must be given to those who got full value for their 60 pence by sticking at it and completing their course. Just 3 events to go- all of them on woodland owned by the Earl of Yarborough. |