Sydney Summer Series

LOW SCORING AS RUNNERS 'UP THE CREEK' AT BERRYS

Early rain and a rather wind exposed assembly area got things off to a difficult start at Berry Island last night. This spot hadn't been used for six years, and gives a wider range of competitors more of a chance to see this great harbourside location that the Smoothey Park start enables, so it was a pity that the rain gods dumped on us. Despite the rain, SSS addicts turned up in droves, unaware of the punishment that course setter Peter 'The Soil Tester' Hibberd had in store.

Peter's first SSS course setting venture saw him adopting the 'four corners' approach, and maybe not noticing the contours! Yep, it looked a very widely spread toughie, with many early arrivals starting a book on the likely 'over' time for course sweeper Glenn Horrocks. Some thought ten, Malcolm went for 'at least' fifteen - but all lost out big time to the man in the Pork Pie hat who collected up when The Glennster arrived 23" down!! A long course in every sense, probably one of our most out of reach in many a season. Unfortunately, to compound the length issue, there were many controls that proved difficult to find - adding to the timing woes of the fast pack. Locations and descriptions also came in for some stick amongst the hard runners - such as checkpoint 24 'Angophora Gum' (more correctly 'track end'), where James 'Elvis' Lithgow was discombobulated for several minutes until a wind gust blew the pot from behind the tree and into view!

Despite these 'interesting' aspects, everyone realised that scores would be low, and, unless you had Greenwich Point in your sights - very low! Nevertheless, runners taped on the 2B and got on the puff. Many liked the 40 points on the 'Island' itself and began south. Others were tempted by the flat run along the beach to #12 and then hoped the mapped dark blue harbour had an edge and that they could vacuum up #24 (wind assistance needed). Yet other bolder competitors (the Prudhoe Brides included), set off straight up the hill - and needed a good lie down before taking the track (down again!) to checkpoint 29. Although the pots were widely distributed, they did yield to fairly simple circles. Glenn for instance 'did' the island and then swept east (12,24,10,1,15etc) before in-out 16/3, and working across to the north and west, before Greenwich Point and a simple return via 29. He certainly got his monies worth! Porkie ran the 'collapsed lung' route (12,24,3,16,20,7,22,9,27,23,17,4,19 and home via the waterfall and Gore Cove track), but was a tad over - with the Garingal clock beeping the next departure as the card was flung down. Dave 'Steady Cam' Stitt, manning the red flag, took it all in his stride.

The northwest pots would have to be the lonely ones, maybe #2 and #21 being the most unloved. Number One also needed the smell of a Durian to divert runners from the more agreeable 10-15 route. Lonely stuff indeed in the eastern sector.

So, given we had a lowie, how did the gang fare?

370 seemed about it before correspondent PP headed for the workers club - with Glenn sharing line honours with Tom 'The Old Town Looks The Same' Joss. The Masters seemed to enjoy this more than the young guns, with Anthony 'Pet Sounds' Petterson and Graeme McLeod 'Er & Louder' singing in the rain for 360, Pete Annetts carding 340 and the Furniture Store posting 330. In the Open group, Mark 'Ing Time' Schaefer walloped 350 to take the silver in front of a top run by Ant '& Bee' Burnett and Dave Heggarty for 340 each. Steve Ryan was hung for ten less - as was new Master Richard Green.

The Vets were mostly sub three, although Mal 'The BSA' and Jimbo McLean popped 320 ahead of a top run from David Noble with 300. Wendy pencilled 350 in VW, well clear of any class rivals, and many younger blokes for that matter. The 'Hairdryer' was off the pace for 100, although Debbie 'Miss NZ' Byers worked up a the magnetic board for a very handy 260. Robin Cameron found herself back a few slots with 220 - not one of her best.

In the Juniors, Porkie noticed Aidan outpointed Matty Hill (230/200) to share the podium and score with Rachel Noble. Seb Porter Zadro on the other hand went home with grandad after winning from the other end of the board - a perfect zero! There were many zero's in fact, several of them groups and one suspects, first timers at this fandangled sport. It's all up from here folks.

Some other scores that caught the blod shot eye of the Pie Face, were Cath 'Edral' Chalmers posting 310 (husband Eoin was reported with 120 which seemed odd), Mary Fein's 340 including a seven minute run home from near #19/9 (cripes!!!) and Alison Curtin with 250. Danny Redfern also played the 250 card (VM) with some of his old mates looking on in wonder (Davy Bowerman 230, Ernest 220), although John 'Angry' Anderson worked the trousers for 270 - and boasting rights. For once in the Super Vets, Wazza Selby (260) was well beaten, with Neil and Ian cameron 'from Cameroon' kicking 280's and Steve and Rosscoe grabbing gold with 290. Thanks Warwick, we know you loved that small track at #29. Other interesting SV antics, were the Rooster to Feather Duster run of President Paul - looking at his watch at #8 and realising he had 1.5 minutes to go! A big contrast from last weeks excellent outing PP. Also reversing fortunes was Cheryl Bluett, posting +70 this week to atone for the minus therapy of the Lane Cove river last week. Good 'un Cheryl.

What else have I got in the bag? A couple more. The Murphy's at it again, with Judge Terry putting up a tenner over Helen (200/190), and Ian 'Make Mine A' Miller also doing a double ton in the WHO blue silks. Ian no doubt limbering up to knock off the IBM Melbourne Cup sweep stakes at Cumberland.

Also noted at the other age end, is Open Women champ Lisa Grant going well clear on the bend with 310 points from Elizabeth 'Restraining Order' Ruff (270 - good run) and Emily Don (I'm tempted!) with 240. In the Legends, Bryony looks to have pulled off another ton (with 240 in LW), and Ronald 'Biggs' Junghans had too much in the upper body for Teddy (260/240) and Mal (230). Great to see Malcolm immediately up to full speed in his first run of the 10/11 SSS season. Welcome back Malcolm.

That seems to be the end of the Porkster's scratchings for week four. A hard flog, some fast roads and some slow tracks. For me, the wind assisted pot at 24 is the highlight of an 'interesting' night.

And so we move on to event 5 next week at Putney with Colin and young Dunk in charge. This (and week 6) are also orienteering promotion events sponsored by Paddy Pallin, and we are offering introductory navigation training as well as the standard SSS course. If you would like to register for the intro, please call 8116 9848 or email orienteering@sydney.net. Spread the word. As to what to expect from this great riverside venue - well, try fast running in some very pleasant parks with fantastic harbour/riverside views. A touch of the puff, but plenty of green underfoot. Join us for what should be a great evening. Note, there is plenty of close parking!