Thursday, January 28, 2010

BUSHY STUFF NO BARRIER AS GREEN BURNS UP BRIDGE

On a dark, thundery and damp evening at Seaforth's 'Burnt Bridge', Open Men's star Richard 'Birds' Green, had the guitar in tune for a spectacular 590 point on-time finish. King Richard swept all pots except #1 in a blistering attack on Terry Bluett's challenging course - and seemed to have twenty buns clear of the next chomper, Andy Hill, back from Cardiff in a welcome return to the series. Great to see Andrew back on the knee rattle, where he did a 'Glenn', running the lot for a two minutes thirteen penalty - not bad seeing he (according to dad) "wouldn't be fit"! Fantastic running from our current OM leader and our previous OM star.

Despite the ominous weather, a goodly bunch of SSS addicts turned up at Bantry Oval (maybe 180 or so) to be confronted with a potty pattern spreading further and further downhill. True to his word, Terry had added a decent dollop of bush work, and retreated somewhat from the fearsomely wide spread here last year. The tighter pattern did result in some higher scoring, but it was great to see the bush navigation pulling up the runners where the O brigade shot forward to claim.

The pots were all single letter biggies, with some confusion (L or V) if you were flying. Still, all good sites and well hung (now, now) on a great SSS area - with lots of off road possibilities that Tezza exploited rather well. Looking at the map and high start location, you saw four exit paths, with most commencing on just two of them - via the north west or across the oval to #10. A bit of study under the kerro lamp made you realise that the most distant 30 pointer (#25) was a long way down - 80 metres down in fact. So all routes were going to involve a bit of heavy breathing on the way home - no matter where you went.

The 18,22,15,26 start kicked up the scoreboard early and seemed a reasonable choice, although many opted to do the bush pots early, figuring that the return via 26 would be straightforward if steepish. This easterly start also quickly added lolly, with most runners well into three figures before needing the Ventolin. The general early gloom was also was a factor in hitting the bush first up before 'you couldn't read the map', although the evening lightened off much to the chagrin of the early smarties.

The two 30's on the bare rock were a significant feature of the course and rewarded the effort. The other pairing (27/21) also attracted most runners and led to the tempting easterly run down the creek to 19 and 25. Linking these two was a trick, with Steve Flick running the northern road between, where Wazza (and Simon Barr) saw the thin yellow strip and plonked down their loose change. The link across from 11-23-14 in either direction also rewarded, as those that ran 9-12-8 instead later realised - and rued (Remember Gordon 'Harold' Wilson's thought - "never go out of you way for a ten pointer"). The lonely pot looked like #2, or maybe #9 - or then again #1. I'll take a tenner on 2 cried the Porkie!

Looking at some of the other scores, we begin with the excellent Crispin Yuen - home after lots of fun and 10 on the board. Go the 'Potatoe Chip'. I generally like the modest end, but didn't seem to record many last night I'm afraid. Bev 'Johnno' Johnson and Don 'Elvis' Burnett both carded 180 in the Legends category, as did our favourite group Viv and Robyn. Go girls! In the SVW's, Angela Murray and Sue Thomson both posted 290, but well behind Dale with a cracking 450. Cripes, the 'Hills &' is back with a vengence.

The legendary men decided that love was in the air, with Mal Gledhill, Heiko and Ron 'Son Lighter' all posting an impressive 420. Things are heating up in the LEM's, with this excellent run by Mal reminding the hiking pole and the farmer of his former speed. Steve 'The Abbotsford Abbot' Flick ran a superb loop for 490 and looked likely to take the ton, until Warwick and Graeme Hill (a late run) pulled in for ten more. Maybe the thin yellow line after 19 was the difference. Ian Cameron ran a tidy 460, with a few other SV's doing the 420 tango (Jim 'Morrison' Merchant and I think 'The Rope'). Terry Murphy, with a week of heavy sentencing on his mind, ran a nice 330, as did Adrian Steele. Ady was outshone by his sister however, with Bronny tucking another ton under her arm for a fantastic 430.

The Legendry Wendy Stevo popped 540, annoyed by Malcolm running the Triumph on unleaded for ten more. Michael Free sensed a big score, and in a rush to see it posted came home five minutes early! He gets 540 for his enthusiasm, but settles in behind Tim 'Bo' Rogers (560). Kar-Soon also had the Masters bib on for a strong 540, ten ahead of Pete Annetts in the same race but shaded by the furniture store. Other high 500 scores were a spectacular 550 from Adrian White 'Wash' and a strong 520 from OW star, Lisa Grant. And how about Gil Fowler and Steve 'The Hangman' Ryan - cracker runs for 550, ahead of fancied stallions, David Bray (530) and Anthony 'Armstrong Jones' Peterson (540).

Two injured runners thought a walk would do them the world of good and promptly clipped on the water bottle - Ian McKenzie walking the lot for 120 and Mark Schaefer posting 320. Emily Prudhoe scored a spectacular 440 in Junior Women, with Mathew Hill 'Song' handling 490 in the JM's. Both are running in top form. Kath had Aoife Rothery strapped up in the buggy for 290, remembering the flat stuff in Perth rather ruefully no doubt. James 'The House Of' Stuart and Graham Horrocks found 280, Vicki Stitt (OW) carded 390 and Robin Cameron put 450 to bed in VW. Karin with 360 in the same class was off tune, with her strapper, Larry 'The Baritone' Weiss, a bit fresher with 410. The Pork also notes Jai DiTommaso (VW) notching a nice 320, Julia Clements (370), Rachel Merton (380) and in a rising chorus, Sharon 'The Shower Curtin' Lambert (390). Ten by ten they go.

Eoin Rothery posted a tidy 470, but had to follow fellow vet Jamie Lithgow into the dis-mounting yard (490). Good run from the love bird. There were plenty of 'around' 500 runners home. Dave Hegarty, Graeme McLeod and Jim McLean (all with 510), Stuey Deane (500), Chris Jacka (490) amongst them. I should also note first timer, Mike 'The Deodorant Bottle' Ward enjoying a change from striding and getting into a touch of map magic for 180 points. Ward 13 looks the goods and will improve - 'each way' say the Pie. As the 2B grinds down, I also note Pete Marshall and James 'The Red Engine' Lucas putting up 460 and retiring to the club to collect their winnings. Nice running boys!

The old goat has run out of notes, but remembers that pot 21 was moved late in the evening by some kids - now traumatised and sleeping badly after James Lithgow threatened them with the old Holden. I hope not too many lost it at this marker. A great night, a great course and some wide and varied performances. As it should be of course. Thanks Terry.

Next week we return to an old favourite - Boronia Park with Larry in the cockpit. Larry has added a bit of extra work to the west, but also will have you confused in the nice bushy bits. Enjoy the smell of the mangroves - and savour the thought of the pie and peas at the Woolwich Pier (or the HHH). Make it a plan.

I should also mention the excellent Monday Sprint series, next Monday at UTS Lindfield will be a beauty. Also the two Rogaines coming up, including the three hour option on March 6. Sounds like lots of fun (go to www.nswrogaining.org for info). That's it, time for a Resches!

1 comment:

Fly on the Wall said...

Great to see some bush added to this map. And that big bit of rock was a cracker! The question was how much to bite off in the downhill first half, and how much to reckon with on the tough second half coming back up. It may have been only 21 degrees but there was next to no wind and 100% humidity - very sapping indeed. I got back three and a half minutes early, totally stuffed, but wishing I'd had the fortitude to add 21 to 27, and the fitness to bag 19-7 as well.
Still, can't complain about 430 - knocked over Larry and Rosscoe - straight to the pool room for this week's results!
I ran 10-24-4-13-28-17-16-5-29-30-6-2-27-14-23-11-26-15-22-18, which was 6.6km and 78m of climb.
Hoping for more bush next week.

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