Sydney Summer Series

RYAN ON FIRE AT FOLLY

The steep Cremorne hills proved no problem for OM star Steve Ryan - posting an impressive 590 points in a big field at Folly Point last night. Steve has burst onto the Summer Series scene this season and records his second win here in emphatic form - 30 points clear of Richard Green. The 'Gee' was on the bolt with a late flog, penciling 580, although caught by a minute plus. Despite not holding the nights 100, it was still another excellent run by Richard, with these two stars starting to deliver a very interesting contest amongst our prize stallions.

And so, lets set the scene. The weather held up with no sign of the promised thunderstorm or rain - in fact early starters like stalwart Barry 'The Steam Train Graveyard' Cole, had to contend with hot and steamy conditions. Junior orienteering star Michele 'JWOC Here I Come' Dawson was our course setter, and offered an eastern take on the area - rather in the manner of Ron 'Son Lighter' Junghans remap a couple of years ago. Those that remember Ron's course, and it's highest scores in the 400's, were relieved that Michele had not taken on board too much Willoughby Bay juice, and confined herself to a more gettable spread. And so it transpired of course, with 'The Private' going close to a perfect result.

Looking at the map, one was struck with a sudden recollection of the contour line nightmare, and the dread thought of the upsey to come. No way of avoiding the issue of course, the question then became which way to go aerial. Many couldn't resist the 100 points to the south as a way to get their shopping started, others liked to add #17 on the way out, while others were seen gently walking the track to/from 16. I suspect most liked the thought of a fast run home downhill from 24/3, and the finish desk definitely had an ear in that direction.

The big pots were well spread, with a couple of testing outliers to reward or bring the overly ambitious undone. 15 and 28 looked the killers, especially when you had to go down and up twice to pencil the buggers, before the puff back. Hard yakka and only for the brave or very fit. The other nasty was #21 (lonely pot?), sitting upon the impossible cliff and requiring a circuitous route to pin. Ronny had one here of course, and I remember the view being rather good - there was even a bench to rest there! The only awkward bits (apart from the turn back decision), was working the #19 to 23 connection to maximum effect and figuring out how to incorporate #13. The rest surrendered to a nice circle. Anthony 'The Bear' Petterson ran a typical loop, working south to start (ignoring #9), oddly missing #2 in running 1-11-22-23, picking up speed in the middle, before a touch of contour kissing in 29-27-15-28-25 and the flog home in 47 minutes for 500.

Many runners did something similar, turning for home at 6-25, or 6-29-25, and hoping to bag 16 as an out-and-back 20 that might only take ten. Michael Burton had this in mind, but figured on a more direct route home from 16 - down through the green to the creek and the horrible realisation that the creek bank/wall was too high to climb. Michael (580 minus 40) did his time here running back along the watercourse towards #30 before he could escape! Simon Barr also got caught here, where, with five minutes to spare at #16, he decided to pull on a little puff work and bag #9! Those of us that know the area are not suprised that his time elapsed just as he got to the pot - with arrears building on the drop home. SB is out to beat the old man, but will have to wait another week it seems.

Looking at some more of the scoring reveals a group carding 540 (Veteran Burton plus Open stars Grant, Mason and Dowle), a half head from Masters, Pete Annetts and Mike Free, Vet Malcolm Bradley and OW star Jo Sinclair - all with 530. Jo and Lisa are going great guns in the OW's and making this a real contest. The members are getting excited folks!

Mary Fein continued to pile on the points with an impressive 520, ten from Wendy and Graeme McLeod 'Noise', with Glenn Meyer, Eoin Rothery and Tracy going a fifer each. There were plenty of ponies just under the magic five - including Kar Soon and suspiciously well tanned Super Vet, Warwick 'Please Turn Over' Selby with 490, Paula Shingler (great to see Pope Paul flying again), Davy Bray, Larry and Tim Rogers with 480, and Richard 'Daddy' Morris, Steve Flick and the Hawthorn football club with 470. In the Legends department, Ron had ten bob over Heiko (430/420) in the mens waiting room (didn't see Malcolm on the paddock), with Bev Johnson working the water bottle for 230 in the WL's. Janet was there, but I didn't check her score - probably another biggie.

Some good running to report amongst our juniors, with Rachel Noble doing something around the 400 mark (exceptional stuff), while Garingal tiger, Aidan Dawson, scorched the course with 360 in the JM's. Also nice to see Siobhan 'D Stand' Wilde posting 210 and keeping grandpa Dave in touch, and Tim's twosome having fun (Amy Rogers with 140 giving up ten red Smarties to Sam's 150). Without seeing his score, it was great to note 5 year old Kyle McGregor enjoying a run and coming home in 44 minutes 50 seconds. Dad Gary was most envious at the timing.

A couple of other random scores noted by the Pie Face were: Mike Hooppell carding 330 in the Super Vets, Selwyn 'I Dream of a Lion Brown' Roper adding a hundred more for 430 to put a bit of hair across President Paul (380) in the same class, who, none the less, had ten in hand from Terry Murphy's 370. Best not to upset the judge Paul! Robin Cameron ran strongly for 420 in the Veteran Women, Vicki Stitt turned to page 440 in the Opens and Sooze Login carded 460 in the Masters. Good to see The Log pull out wide and take the points away from The Old Mother. Clare Murphy had dad's measure with 390, the same score as Uringa stablemate Lisa Lampe posted (Lisa, I think there is something there with this 'Lampe' and 'Posted' - maybe I'll save it for the next Guide!). Kerry 'Time to Change the' Napper was ten in arrears with 380, and I seem to recall Mr YHA, Julian 'The T Shirt as Robe' Ledger, also having pencilled this little pearler.

In the SVW's, Sue Thomson and Angela Murray held hands for 290, but didn't have the route to trouble leading SV, Carol Jacobson, and her tidy 340. No doubt Carol's sporting of the elusive Summer Series T Shirt was the difference. Cheryl Bluett runs in this class of course, and is often seen out early enjoying herself. Last night's 30 points perhaps being more modest than usual though. Also posting the same score were the M&M's, Mel Cox and Melissa Selby. They both considered 510, and then, upon greeting the first contour, thought better of it and rested the hamstrings for a tidy 410 instead.

All good stuff, and just a snapshot of a great night. Numbers looked to be above 200 with lots of new faces and groups enjoying the fun. Next week Michael Burton offers someone else the hundred as he sets us up for a bit of a bash at Epping/Beecroft. This area has a number of bush tracks, including the interesting stuff below(!) the tollway. Always a goodie, but could be a cracker with the speedster in charge. Make it a date.