Belmore Parklands

Friday, 24 May 2013

The air was noticeably chillier than in previous weeks but that didn't stop a turnout of just under 100.  After the last 3 events, Belmore seemed relatively flat! And it was good to see controls on the map as we resumed normal competition. Course setter David dangled the 5 pointers within reach of most, with some planning, so the smaller value controls became the discussion point - especially 2 and 7 which most of us left till the end, then ummed and ahhed about whether we had time.

It was a week where new faces appeared at the top.  Simon took full advantage of Bryan's and Paul's absence, and made a better route choice to beat Alex and Frederick, and take his first win for winter.  Well over half the A course got all 20 controls, and it was good to see nearly all of them returning before 8pm.  On B, Nick announced his return with a big win over Peter.  Third spot was hotly contested with Dennis prevailing over Beck, Ian and Suzy.  On C, Daniel finally turned the tables on Steven and Jay, and on PW, The Girls, who have been looking threatening for weeks, took the win with 59 points over Barry and Ian, both on 58.

So after 9 weeks, where are the big battles for overall honours?  Bryan and Paul are locked up at the top of A1, with 595 points each. In A2, Bruce is very close to overhauling Geoff but only has once chance left to get the 3 points he needs. In A3, Chris will be hoping to keep his 2 point lead over Mark, while on A4, Noel only needs to improve his score by a point to move into second ahead of Geoff.  It's a similar story on B1 where Peter needs a point to overhaul Greg for third, but David is the dark horse who could also take third next week.  In C1, Jay is holding a 3 point lead over Steven, but Daniel could sneak in between them and take second spot.  Denise and Ewen are currently tied for third. On C2, Andrew looks a strong chance at second with a good score next week.  Len heads PW1 by a single point over Phil, and Brad and Bernie are only a point apart vying for second in PW2. 

All will be resolved next week at Knox Fields, a suitably tricky map at the best of times. Autumn Series presentations will be made the following week.