Nap Hand in Perth and Compass Sport Progression
The streets of Perth proved a happy hunting ground for Forth Valley Orienteers, as our athletes collected five wins amongst ten podium places at TAY's Scottish Urban League meet at Muirton.
Despite giving away a sizeable age advantage to the field, Will Hensman proved to be the class act in the Open Mens division, as he took the win in 41.10.
In Will's absence from the Veteran Mens class, there was still room for an FVO 1-2, as Paul Hammond claimed victory in 35.22, from Chris Kelly (38.01). There was also a club 1-2 in SuperVet Women, thanks to Alison Cunningham (24.51) and Cathy Tilbrook (26.51).
Rachel Kirkland continued her recent dominance of the Veteran Womens division with another win, this time in 36.59, while Esme Finch went unopposed in Young Junior Women , and was able to take her time to wrap up the win in 44.24.
Scarlett Kelly was 2nd in a packed Junior Womens division (25.05) and there were 3rd place finishes for both Ben Stansfield (SuperVet Men - 35.43) and Mark Holliday (UltraVet Men - 28.50).
The following day, the club booked its place in the final of the British Clubs Championship with a straightforward qualifying win at Faskally, Pitlochry. The win was slightly anti-climactic, as every other team was entered in the Trophy competition for smaller clubs, and progression was guaranteed as soon as opening runner Fraser Cheyne crossed the finish line.
Dave Godfree was the only overall class winner on the day, as he led Short Brown in 39.12, but there were fine showings right across the board with seven more from FVO in podium finishes.
Ben Stansfield was 2nd in Blue Men (44.36), a performance that was matched by Brian Bullen (Veteran Short Green - 38.30), Scarlett Kelly (Short Green Junior Women - 24.53) and Esme Kelly (Orange Girls – 18.50).
Also in podium places were Steve Feltbower (Short Brown - 42.04), Hugh Buchanan (Green Men - 36.45) and Gareth Bryan-Jones (SuperVet Short Green - 49.38), all of whom were 3rd in their class.
The Trophy, with 15 teams entered, was madness itself, as the lead changed hands time and again over the afternoon. Defending champions Interlopers are back in the final again, as they won the heat with 1257 points, from INVOC (1248), and MOR eased out ESOC with their last scorer to take the final qualifying berth.
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