Sydney Summer Series

OVERS AGAIN A FEATURE OF TERRYS TOUGHIE

After presiding over the Summer Series' greatest ever 'late back' event on this map last season, Michael 'Marquis de Sade' Halmy might well have gone the double! Despite having the rack at this disposal, and the leg irons and hot coals handy, Michael chose that most devastating SSS weapon, the 'Late-Back' score deduction. And what devastating effects it had - Graeme Hill lost for 20" in the east, Helen 'Of Troy' Murphy 19 over in only claiming a fifty, our two leaders trading negative nines - and a splendid collection of zero's on the velcro board. The BNO maths department were flat out at the finish adding two here, or more likely taking off two there, as the tracks in Terrys Creek once again weaved their spell on a mesmerised crowd that found themselves short of a quid with the clock chiming 'over'!

Given the propensity to pre plan fast running times in the Terrys dungeon, it was no mean feat to pull off a clean circle that saw you in on or close to the 45. The planning distances seemed too short - that is, until you couldn't find the track to #25 from above, or the small creek crossing to #15 bought you out at the car wreck instead of the curious 'bike on pole'. And those that liked the run from 12 to 26 might have thought their map was 1:15,000, it took so long to get there. In summary, it seems the clue was to get in and out of the creek as quickly as possible. Lingering proved fatal for many summer series hands.

Looking at the course was best undertaken lying down - as many did. The 'Lip Balm' must have fallen for an eastern maiden, with many points, it seemed, close to New Zealand. There was also a small group in the south to temp competitors away from the more regular middle crossing, or the northern sweep along Epping Road. Another feature was a rather large hole in the middle, with nothing there to get you excited about a 22-29 route. So, given the need to work east of Terrys if you wanted to feature, what to do?

Many took off via #1,21,4,24 and the north, while others left #1 on a right hand lock for 23,13,15 etc. Of interest is the route of our winners Glenn and Richard - sweeping south via 11,2,22,12,23,13,3 (imagine climbing back up from 13 to go back for 3!) 26,15,25,5 and loop up the east and north on the way home. Turning back in the middle required some discipline, as the perfectly placed #18 was there to tempt runners further east than many were capable of. The slowies (like Porkus Pieface) ran 16-28, where those that had more legs linked 16-8-18-28. A nicer route if you had the pace (Anto Petterson did this), but fatal if you had been slow in the creek.

It looked a low score evening, and so it proved with packed back boards and not much trumpet music above 400. There was some discussion as to the merits of wider deployment, and I know there are fans of this out there. I think the Series can cope with all styles, although I have a propensity for good medium ability scoring as an encouraging device. How often have we seen the far flung tenner 'just for Andrew of Glenn'.

One thing I love about a Mike Halmy event, are his beautiful coloured clue sheets - in marked contrast to Rosscoe's anniversary effort last week. Nice to return to the original start location for this map, and to see such good clues, good pot locations and to get such a cracking evening. A great roll up - over 200 it seems - and great fun, as always. I'm finding it hard to locate the lonely pot - maybe 29 might be it as the furthers east. Six would miss out for the northern loopsters, and I don't think many fell for the 2 and 22 tender trap, but all were given the 2B by someone, so no obvious award. Sorry folks.

So, how did the gee gees perform?

With 500 apiece, Richard Green 'Top' had twenty seconds from Glenn 'Horlicks' Horrocks as they swept the lot in 9.14 and 9.34 over respectively. Amazing running, and well clear of the next best - a tidy 460 by Dave Hegarty. As I mentioned earlier, there were few above 400 - indeed, Steve 'The Commissioner' Ryan's 450 is the only one - with five nags nibbling 400 (Mark Schaefer, Tommy Joss and Jeremy 'The Brush Turkey' Fowler in OM, Anthony 'Pet Sounds' Petterson (MM) and Wendy in the W Vets). Our best Open Women scoring was Carolyn Haupt with 360, from Malin Andersson's 350 and a top run by Catherine 'River Cruises' Murphy with 330. Sister Clare (of the poor nuns) put up 280 and was no doubt forced to shout the bar. Kelly Dohle whacked 300, while Sharon Lambert posted 260. And in a first for the Series, Jo Sinclair and two week old Leah (!) raced in for a tidy 160. This might be our youngest ever participant.

High threes were to be found in OM (Chris Jacka 'Boot' 390, Joel P 360), MW (Mary Fein 370) and MM (Dave Bray 360 and Pete Annetts 370), but nowhere else. The Vets put up a brace of 350's (Andy Graham 'Off The Bone', Graeme 'Ring First' Dawson, Pete Hibberd and John Brayan 'Tree'), with the Supers finding nothing on the table above 320 (PP in a rare win). I think the Legends fell in behind Chippy and Heiko's 300, although Ron was not noted when the front bar called the first round. I think he was wrestling with the BN finish banner - you know the one, often found hidden behind the finish person! The LW points might have gone to Sue (150), with Angela in nothing land and Bryony in Melbourne.

Some other scores that took the eye of Porkie Pie were the perfect zero's. I think Terry 'Deep Blue Sea' Bluett went the zero route rather than the luscious 'minus' notation, in recording Monique Unger, Ian McKenzie, Lesley Cox, Phil Hardy, Stefan Petterson, Eric Chu, Hester Slade, Angla Murray and Nicole Petterson in this unique way. Congratulations to all these stalwarts of the series - and probably casualties of Terrys Creek!

Some other goodies are, Andrew 'Cafe L'Affare' Lumsden with 320 (VM), reversing numbers with Dan 'The Man' Redfern (230). Ian Jessup also carded a 320, to drop ten to Colin 'Medium Rare' Burnett. Ralph 'Great' Scott astonished with 260, but will need to do more to equal our web man, Dave '100 Basis Points' Noble who posted a 300. This sounds modest for David, maybe he too was caught in the creek. The Masters are always a good read. How about Trevor 'In Season' Hindson with 310, pipping Dmitry Stukov (300) and Graeme 'Brass Section' Woodward (270), but having to go all brotherly love as Gary Farebrother crashed through with 320. Wayne Pepper had the steak knives out for a modest 270 and will improve with better feed. Pete Day didn't need the torch for 230 in the same class, and led Stuart 'Classes' Deane (210) to the photo.

In the Vet Women, Sue Login 'With Lemon' put up 320 to claim from Robin Cameron (310) and Karin's 270. Julia could only find 200, with Jai doing time for only 50! The Debster was tidy with 260 as she gets her bags packed for the Wellington adventure. Mel walked 210, Robyn & Viv did likewise for 100 and Digby Pritchard got a lonesome tenner for his troubles. There was a curious entry called 'Girl Guides' who posted 80 points - no doubt in the croup category. There was also Michael 'Balmoral' Roylance who is going by bike rather than royal coach. I think it might be knees, so he obviously should consult Warwick.

Lots of good Super Vets on the trot, with Ian Miller's 230 ceding to Steve Holloway's 250 and the other WHO bluebag, Steve Dunlop, with 370. Johnny '& The Hurricanes' Giles played hard for 250, and was only modestly beaten by President Paul Prudhoe who put on 260 - well down on Board expectations. Ernie made 200, as did David Bowerman. Uncharacteristically, Wazza mucked up around #25, and lost time. The after effects of the World Rogaine in NZ the previous weekend no doubt being a factor on the good Doc.

To finish, let's climb on the community bus - where we find last weeks Legend Dave Stitt, now back among the pack with a modest 120. Dave Lotty put on 200, and is also reported to have done the lantana tango on route from 14 to 24! Good to see retirement working its magic on the grey ghost. Ken Jacobson was handy with 280, clear of Mal Gledhill's 240 and Ted's 270, and lower 200 scores from Bruce Stanley 'Knife' and Dave 'Sorry, I've Got To' Dash. Despite being close to home, Bruce Dawkins missed the cut with only an 80 on the back nine, and will need to work the putter harder in future.

There were, of course, many other high and low scores - and even some fair to middling ones. That seems to be the way in the Sydney Summer Series, as runners strap on the nose bag and get on the flog at these weekly race meetings. The next of which - is a return to Artarmon and a bit of fast driving under the Gore Hill. The location is close to Artarmon train station for those that like the public transport option. James Lithgow has things well in hand and promises another cracker at what will be for many, a new venue. At least, a new starting venue. Don't miss it and your chance to 'go for gold' in the race of the century!

A final point before I rest the pencil stub (and reach for a Reschs). The 20 question quiz is still open, so please give it a crack. As long as your entry is with me by event 11 at Blackman Park, you could be in for the glory. Entries are already 'flooding in'!!!!