Compass Sport Silver for FVO
A sterling team effort from Forth Valley Orienteers came up just short, as they finished runner-up in the Compass Sport Cup final for a fourth consecutive year.
Holidays meant that several potential points-winners were unavailable, but an overall score of 2394 points over the 10 competition classes was 50 better than last year, and represents the 6th highest team total in the history of the competition, and the second best by a non-champion.
The Brown Men's class had several local athletes coming back off injuries, but Peter Molloy was on form to take the bronze medal (54.49), which was right on his pre-race ranking, and Alistair Thornton was 9th (61.59).
Blue Women has been a problem class in recent times, but Lizzie and Clare Stansfield returned from their university clubs for the day, and both featured highly, with Lizzie rolling back the clock with a splendid 3rd place (57.42) and Clare 90 seconds further back in 5th.
The Short Brown Men's class was a key target for many clubs, and Graham Gristwood was just 11 seconds (43.59) off the win, Will Hensman was 4th (54.35) and Dominic Edward made his Cup debut with a fine 9th (64.41) placing.
Green Women brought more points for the team total, as Kirsty Bryan-Jones was 5th (47.26) ahead of Heather Thomson (48.57), who was one place back and Beccy Osborn (49.30), who was 7th, while in Blue Men, Roger Goddard was 2nd (46.41), with Marcus Pinker 5th (52.52). Simon Patton had his first run in a year for 6th in 55.17, and Chris Kelly came home nine seconds (63.58) ahead of clubmate Brad Connor for 10th.
The Veteran Women played a major role on the day, as Hazel Dean won the class in 30.46, keeping Alison Cunningham (31.01) in 2nd, and Vicky Thornton was 8th (38.25) in another key class for many of the major contenders.
The array of junior talent at the disposal of main rivals SYO was formidable, particularly in view of the fact that FVO was without any of its prize-winning under 12's, but James Hammond stepped up to the plate winning the Junior Men's class by six minutes (26.42) for maximum points in the class, and Alexander Hunt was 5th (42.33), as he beat his brother for the first time. On the other side of the coin, Scarlett Kelly was an agonising three seconds away from winning Junior Women (25.48) and Esme Kelly excelled, with a 3rd place (29.14) that headed several highly-ranked opponents.
Significant points were gained by the in Orange Boys, as Fraser Cheyne and James Edward couldn't be separated in 3rd place (23.54) and Lucas Baikie was 5th (25.36), and the final points for the team were gained by Eilidh Connor, who was 4th in Orange Girls (30.21). SYO won the cup with 2415 points, and LOC was 3rd on 2266.