| The Lincolnshire Poacher Trophy Series returned to Elsham for the first time in almost 10 years. After protracted discussions with the Estate's Land Agents a compromise fee for access was agreed, albeit at a loss making level for this event. Entry over the motorway bridge brought competitors adjacent to the start/finish area on a perfect Spring evening. Nearly 60 runners enjoyed the challenging courses set by Neil Harvatt. The vegetation in parts was hard going interspersed with several deep ditches that tested people's long jumping or log balancing abilities. However, an excellent touch was the use by Neil of the War Games area, not normally available for events at the weekend, a really runnable part of the wood with plenty of unusual features. It was pleasing to see people trying out orienteering for the first time on the Newcomers course. The Short course surprise winner was Jake Field who prevailed over his elder brother Zac who 4 days previously had finished a great fourth in the British Championships held on the Moray Coast in Northern Scotland. Mother Rosie made it a clean sweep for the Field family with an excellent third. The Long course produced a first win in Poacher for Lincoln's Paul Murgatroyd who has been steadily improving over the last 12 months. Also having good runs on the Long were Ebor's M21 Paul Watson, Grimsby Young Gun Lee Smith and Halo SuperVet Mike Smith up in eighth place ahead of many younger rivals. Next week Mausoleum Woods is expected to produce faster running speeds; access is from the Limber-Brocklesby road not the A18 parking used in 2007. |