Sydney Summer Series

Go Mounty!!!

Despite another touch of the damp, and the efforts and cunning of master course setter Glenn 'Rescue Me' Horrocks, Richard Mountstephens swept the lot last night in exactly 45" - a breathtaking performance. Andrew Hill and Mike Burton also flew the course (560/570) but were shaded on the turn by King Dick. Superb running from all three stars on a grey and drizzly afternoon.

Yes punters, event four has come and gone in a welter of grass clippings clinging to the socks, as the 160 or so rusted on SSS champions took their cure at Macquarie Hospital. Whereas last week was the "Thermal Series', last night might be called 'La Squelch', as the Volleys took on water with several bush tracks pretending to be creeks. Those that ploughed to #16 will know what I mean. At least it wasn't as cold as 'The Bank'.

Glenn's course looked a sweep at first glance with many planning a wide run. The map incorporated newly mapped areas to the west and south that tempted those that like the sniff of new pasture - perhaps to the detriment to their scoring. With the scatter of 30 pointers around the course perimeter, the foot had to be to the floorboards no matter which way was attempted. Many headed north to loop the hospital 120 early, most after a pinch uphill to the cunningly placed #17, and then working via 7,26,18 and 21 before working out where to go next. Going south seemed the least popular with checkpoints 27 and 28 probably off most runners intention sheets and vying for the lonely pot award. Off track running was required to make 29/11 and the 12/13/22 groups work, but plenty did just this apparently. I imagine taking the downhill option from 13 to the waterfall in flood at #22 would have been easier than the other way round.

Good to see 'Left my keys in the' Kar Soon back for his first outing of the series (480 points), and also Malcolm 'The Trouser' Gledhill posting a respectable first up 390 in the Legends. The top blokes tickled the 500 area, with Richard Green and Adrian White posting a paint catalogue showing for 520 each, a short half head behind Garingal star Peter 'The Pumpkin' Annetts with 530. The mares and filies also showed considerable class on the heavy track with several mid four performances. Sue 'T Pudding' Davis was once again on song with 490, well clear of Allison Lilly 'Pond' on 450. Martina 'Turner' Craig gave the kids to Stephen and pulled on a nice 440 to outpoint Allison number two (The Curtin) on 420. Sibylle Boos 'Bus' also chalked 440.

On a somewhat unsettling note, Wendy Stevenson was bailed up and threatened by a couple of angry men in a car early in her run, which she then abandoned. Hopefully her restart resulted in a more peaceful run. It's a puzzle to wonder why anyone would have an issue with such a healthy activity as the Summer Series. I guess though, we need to be wary of any nutters out there - especially if it follows energetic running near traffic.

And finally, I humbly report getting quite lost descending a 'track' to #2, missing it and ending up in a sea of dark green bush, vines and yelping dogs. All this from the man who had just mapped that very area! The 'Porkster' is eating humble pie.

Next week we move further west to a new SSS venue on the Parramatta River. This sounds like enormous fun with a touch of business district and bridge stuff, as we motor the grassy banks and parks near Lennox Bridge, and maybe catch the River Cat between checkpoints. Be there or be square.