Sydney Summer Series

NO OVERCROWDING ON SPIT BUSES, WITH THE 5 TO 6 SERVICE COMPLETELY EMPTY!

Not too many Summer Series flogs have gone sub-five, but last night Marina went wide in her initial SSS deployment, and saw most of the pre-Christmas pud tummies settling for a four, or more likely a three - not a five hundred to be seen. Two also had many fans, as did the ones, with many widely varied scores amongst normally close competitors (try LW's Bryony and Sue - last week a ton each, this week Bryony in the two's and Sue carding only 30), BUT, homage where it is truly due - Sandra Thomas, pulling into the bus stop after a 96.52 minute journey, to record a minus 170! ST, your a star.

So, low scoring was the order of the day in this new area, but at least it was a nice evening, great running weather for a change, and a very pleasant grassy and shaded assembly area - ominously though, at the bottom of the hill! The 'Chinamans Beach' map took in the northern part of the Balmoral map, added a small section of 'The Jugular's' Primrose Park extension, and completed the circle with all of Beauty Point and The Spit. And a nice bit of cartography from Tezza Bluett it was too. However, as foreshadowed, the Contour Queen was hereabouts, and arriving punters took one look and went all quiet. Mmmmm, a bit of puff here mate!

As I mentioned, Marina went for a wide scatter of pots, and included a few classic sites at water level, and many more classy view babies up the top. Stair work and step work loomed, and a nice new water level bush track looked a goer for those that like a touch of eucalyptus under the Volley. Another big factor in route determination was the very busy Spit Road and instructions to only cross at lights or under the Spit Bridge at control #26. Dashing across the (almost non existent) medium strip was not an option. So we have climb, we have a major road divider, we have spread, and we have around 200 ponies on the nibble. Sounds like the Sydney Summer Series to me.

Looking at the course, there appeared to be a major circle to the north and west, and a carbuncle of controls to the east. There were also thirty points out along the Parriwi cliff top. For most, the boil didn't figure, so planners settled for either a quick slog to #2 and the long dash to #26 and back anti clockwise around Beauty, or a blind and punishing puff up to #22 and then the western circle and Spit. Many factored in two climbs, although it is reported Peter 'Mr Punishment' Annetts, found time for three!

A common mid three involved 2,11 back to 21,20 (lights),28,15,19,29,6,30,5,14,13,8,24 (lights), 17 and 22 before flying home. Many pulled out at 13 on this circle, and others on the Spit flogerooney went over at 14/21. Pork Chop, being a contrarian, started along the rocks (tricky stuff) and up to the lighthouse at #11 before working the ribbons of steel back to #2, where Dennis 'The CFO' Sparling was encountered dropping into low range as he felt the finger of Marina lightly entwined in his plans. PC then went 21 and in-out 20 before counting cars and buses to 28. Looking at other sites, pot number 27 needed commitment, or madness, as did 16 and 23 to the east. Hard won height having to be weakly surrendered for these babes. Not sure how many ventured above the sandstone to 18 and 3, probably not many. Seven might have gone the shiver, or maybe ten. But probably I'd nominate one of the thirty pointers (27/23) as LP. Getting either of these two needed Shell X100 motor oil, or should that be 'Clean Burning Europa' for my many Kiwi readers.

Glenny burnt around in a credible 62.42, posting a nice 420 after a start via 22 to 2,11 about-face,21,20,18,3 and then down the cliff side track to Parriwi to the Spit - Beauty Point circle, 46 second delay crossing at 24, and then swabbing the eastern canker (17,10,16,23,4,12) 1 and home. Another top outing from 'The Miracle', but not podium quality I'm afraid. That goes to a dead OM heat with Andy Hill and Steve Ryan on 480's. 'The Waterfront' would have cursed the clock, or the traffic lights, as he worked a 490 but copped ten seconds. Oh cruel world!

Some other nice scoring that found the stub working loosely in the right hand - Patrick 'Peter' Gunnerson and James McQuillan forming a nice rhythm section on 450, a pair of well known veteran and master runners holding up 440's ('The Cotswolds' and 'Over & Out'), Bob Joss and Westpac doing it for all mortgagees on 430 - and Gillbo Fowler posting a strong 420. As with the LW's, Gill and rival OW star Lisa Grant were unusually well separated last night, with 'The White Goods Shop' only finding 310. Strange and stranger.

In the juniors, 14 year old Adam 'Busters' Halmy had his tin legs working at high speed for a sensational 380, well clear of neat and tidy timing from young Duncan's 330 (home exactly on 45!). Rachel Noble looks to be holding the gold with 320 in JW. In the family fun category, Cath Chalmers had a tenner over husband Eoin, with 'The Stocking' also matching Cath, and a welcome ten over his SVM rival. Many other excellent scores to ruminate on, and also some quieter work from the stallions and filly's than perhaps we are used to. Pork Pie is pointing the finger at Contour Carol - cunningly a meter taller than before!

In summary then, a toughie, maybe one of our lowest top scoring outings in memory, but a very pleasant evening all the same. Some absolutely excellent control sites (how about 11,19,29 for starters), and lots to ruminate over at the rubbity dub afterwards - where, shock horror, the Reschs had run out!!! Big thanks to Marina and the BNO team. Great to see 'The Gordon Highlander' back with his mates and putting up a goody. Stick with us Gords, we miss you and your stringless scoring.

Next week sees the Bennelong crew backing up just down the road, at Georges Heights. This is our traditional pre Christmas event in these parts, and will be another cracker. Phil 'The Dill' Harding is in charge of all your subsequent pain, and will no doubt send you off on a late present buying spree with a bit of knee ache. As with this weeks run, expect more great views in this top area - and maybe a little of the old pufferooney beneath the chesty bond. Top country, and bound to be an excellent course from 'The Fillet Steak'. Maybe celebrate afterwards with a light dip in the ocean, or a little shark & tatie down at the beach.

So, event 11 gone, event 12 coming up, and then, hardly a skip and a miss later, Christmas is gone and Carol & Ken will have you crouching for the starters pistol at Chatswood Athletic Field. A rarely used classic awaits!