Sydney Summer Series

"MURDER AT BRUSH FARM" - THE HANGMAN TRIUMPHS - HERCULE 'PORK PIE' POIROT INVESTIGATES

In a simply staggering run, Steve 'The Noose' Ryan, ran 590 in just over 44" to take the honours at Matt Hackett's Brush Farm murder mystery last night. In an anti-clockwise circle, Steve left off #10 as he swept the board, seemingly untroubled by the 'murderous' hills that had most of 'the rest' frequently engaging very low gear - and hoping for a three, or even a reasonable two.

Returning to 'The Farm' after a couple of years, many remembered to views - and attendant contours. They were not to be disappointed.

Upon arrival as our 20th season's penultimate event, punters were confronted by a wide spread - a very wide spread. They were also confronted by the need to climb. Several ponies were seen looking anxiously uphill to #19, putting off their start time by developing a sudden interest in The Guides and hoping Akela would save them. Couldn't we just do firelighting Matt??

So, when you traded the tenner with Ted, what did you see? A biggie, very much a biggie, that looked like it might only go low fives for the guns. When you understood the contours, it looked impossibly wide, but there was intrigue and good dollops of cunning on the page. How to start, how to attack? There was a nice loading in the centre, a nice 120 in the northwest pocket and a linked run across the bottom. There were also good points to the east, but they seemed far away - especially if the 'Brush' figured. There were also four tens (3,4,6,10) that had been beautifully placed to spoil the 600 club party - number four being particularly delicious if adding it in the east/west direction - 27-4 being a particular fitness tester.

Most runners decided to get the main hill out of the way early and began 19,24 to collect the west and the south, returning via the central core and 16,26. This obvious route had lots of followers, resulting in mass 380 scoring - or tidy 350's if the late climb to #27 missed the cut. It was clearly the best way to 'high three' without doing too much contour tango, and seems a strangely obvious basis for a route a day later. Those with legs worked this starting sequence as noted, and then the 22,10,23,20 'thrust' before dropping to 12 and 7, and working back uphill via 13,30,11,6 and 27 to the finish (and dropping #3 and the 'Mt Everest' pot #4 - probably our two most lonely pots). Most reports were of anti-clockwise activity, with only Rosscoe, being a contrary sort of dude, going the other way - and being well beaten in the process. The poor start trying to find the small track behind the Guide Hall that led to the west and a beginning at #29, and the subsequent 19,4,27,16 see saw not being my finest hour!

So, what initially seemed like an impossible flog, turned out to be perfectly on the money. Pie Face can only wonder at the fitness and strength of the SSS leaders to put on such a display across such a hilly area. And, although 'The Hangman' takes the lolly, there were other sensational results in the mid and high fives. Amazing stuff, wanna take a look?

Firstly our Fiver's worth. Dave 'The Egg' Hegarty boiled a brilliant 580 to be just shy of Steve in the Open Men, with Lisa Grant putting up 510 in OW. Other Open's to spurn a low score were Adrian 'Designer' White (painting 520) and James 'The Quill Pen' with 530. Glenn and Richard both posted 570's in the Masters, Michael 'Calomine Lotion' Burton, Mal Bradley and 'The Coin' all went fives in the VM's (550/530/520), and Wendy put on her work boots for 530 in the Vet Women. The one missing 'five' was our Open leader Andy Hill, recording a 'DNF' after pulling out early with a hammy (might have been something else, but an injury none the less). This makes next weeks final a real doozey - especially if 'The Last Man' can hold off 'The Hedge' and Andy is still out. Mmmmm.

Working down the score board into the fours, we see some excellent running from a couple more categories. Junior star Aidan Dawson carded 440 to give young Dunk (340) a touch up - although realising Duncan is still only ten, his score is still an amazing one. The JW's went to Michele (350), with late running Rachael (320) distracted by a car ding on the way to the event. Nest week will be another classic here. The SVM also made the fours, with Wazza Selby posting 460 to claim from Gordy and Graeme Hill (430's). 'St' Paul Prudhoe rattled the cassock for 380, ahead of Terry Bluett and Ian Miller (350's) and Teddy Woodley - ten back with a tidy 340.

Cath Chalmers looked likely in MW with 410, ahead of Linda 'On The Buses' Sesta with 380 from Lisa Linssen's 360. Although well shy of 'The Bendy Bus' in VW, Robin Cameron posted an excellent silver with her 400, to head a great run from Karin Hefftner (380). Also nice to see Hilary and 'In The' Nick down from Terrigal and forking out bail with 310 and 380 respectively in the V's. Lisa Lampe (300) and Barbara 'Mundi' Dawson (280) complete the VW notes, with Steve 'The Sandal' Shepherd (440), Larry Weiss (430) and Mel 'I'll Have Another Consonant' Cox (380) all looking good in the VM's. Matty Peters is also noted on the paddock with a nice 370 to operate on.

In the Legends, Hieko put his Antarctic run to good use with a strong 380 - and not a fur seal in sight. Malcolm & Lloyd (330/290) worked hard, pointing in front of mapper Baz Hanlon (230,) and a tidy 200 from Barry 'Not Only Milk, Now Beer' Cole. The LW's went to Bryony with 290, and a tie for second between 'The Angle Grinder' and 'The Toastrack Tram' (250 apiece). I note Janet working the 'Morris Ten' for 220 and June Stanley (160) wishing for Ollie. In the SVW's, Dale and Jai both pencilled 350, to continue Dale's slender overall series lead. And back a bit in the opens, Gill Fowler was LBW to Lisa with 480 (thirty shy), but still a length from Tracy Marsh 'Of Ottawa' and Catherine 'Not On Call' Murphy (450's) and Claire Winnick 'Of Time' on 410. Carolyn Haupt carded 390 in the green & gold silks.

I've no doubt missed a few - including Pete Annetts running a great 470, and 'The Joss Stick' flogging to the line in a haze of pungent smoke - and the same score. Forgive me if you have been overlooked, it was the siren call of the West Ryde that's to blame.

So, event 25 is over. Steep stuff, but a good high three claim for many - and an incredible toppy from young Steve. Thanks to Matt and the WHO crew, and the beautiful Sydney evening. Let's hope for something similar for our last run next week at Drummoyne. Steve Flick is in charge and, contrary to my expectations, has us doing a bit in the east as well as in Five Dock Bay. Sounds like a considered and intriguing course to play out our final on. Expect fire works aplenty as several classes and placings are decided on the night. And don't forget the race for the SSS cup!

In closing, please note that we have negotiated to use the clubhouse for our presentations, and the dining room will be open for dinner. Please join us as we celebrate another great series and salute our winners. The 20th year has been a classic, so let's go out with a bang!