Event Details
Club: | SMBO |
Event Name: | Newcastleton |
Date: | 23/06/13 |
Format: | MBO Score |
Mapping: | Ordnance Survey |
Time Limit: | 4 - (changed from 3 hrs) |
National League: | - |
League: | SMBO Spring League 2013 (Round 4 of 4) |
Electronic Punch: | SportIdent |
Event Report
Once again Newcastleton and Kershope Forest saw competitors from England and Scotland take to the battle field in the “Debatable Lands”. The 4 hour course took in quiet lanes and forest track both sides of the border with some of the single track of the 7Stanes red trail thrown into to make the route home a little gnarlier!
Despite heavy rainfall and a car rally churning up the forest roads on the Saturday the course remained relatively dry on Sunday leaving some very fast riding conditions, and some very high scores for those who planned well (which wasn’t everybody). With 25 checkpoints and the promise of a hill top 40 pointer the route choice was crucial particularly through the red single track sections.
The battle was soon underway between the Scottish and the English contingents with Connel and Andrew McLennan managing to get round three points in less than two hours to claim the generation prize for the Celts! The combat continued in the women’s event with a brave effort from Scotland’s Rachel Henderson gaining 345 points who was eventually defeated by Cumbrian Angela Brand Barker (411 points) who scooped the series title at the same time.
In the Mixed Pairs the Scots hit back with a victory and a series title for Keith Brydon & Lynne Brydon (411 points) who triumphed over the English pair Geoff Moorhouse and Andrea Foster (380) points.
It was however in the Men’s event that the fight between the countries hit its height with David Blair of Scotland and Graham Fielding of England heading the field. Despite forgetting his control descriptions, two punctures and some interesting route choices around the single track Graham managed to get 475 points and still return early. It was however it was the consistent Scotsman Blair who claimed the victory with 477 points with some very well thought out route choice and minimal time penalties.
Mention should also go to both Peter Mayne (465) and Ray Morris (445) who also hit the 480 point mark however both returned with some heavy penalty points having paid the price for their ambitious strategies – they still cycled a bloody long way though!
In the Men’s series 1st and 2nd went to Scotsmen David Frame and David Blair respectively.
Big thanks to guys a ROCK UK who put us up in fine style. This undiscovered gem of an activity centre is not used anywhere near enough and would make a perfect base for future adventure /orienteering events so keep them on your radar!
Thanks also to Andy Mclennan for organising the series and sorting out the computer when it all goes wrong!
Lastly, Thanks to the girls (Kate and Sarah) for making and administering generous portions of cake! Unfortunately this event is becoming better known for its baked goods than its course planning which is probably the reason why so many made the journey!
See you all in Cardrona for the National Champs
James and Paul