Return to the Valley of the Mole
Forth Valley Orienteers will return in October to the site of a previous triumph, as they head out to the Compass Sport Cup final in East Grinstead, where they won the 2019 final, after a thrilling race at the Trossachs.
For the first time in several years, there was an actual match to make it through, as both INVOC and ESOC were designated as Large Clubs this year, and several potential points scorers were unavailable, due to a clash with the Talent Squad camp, holidays in Spain and involvement behind the scenes of this event as key officials.
In the end though, there was no real worry, as the team had secured 2444 points from their first 25 scorers by 1pm, and from then on it was a matter of retaining the lead and deflecting late scorers. FVO athletes won seven of the 12 Cup classes available, with INVOC on three and ESOC claiming two, and although there was the same finish as for the Middle race on the previous day, two new start locations were used, and planner Paul Hammond managed to get an all-new set of control locations for the 12 courses.
In the overall course standings, there were a dozen FVO athletes in medal positions, including five course winners. Will Hensman led the pack on course 2 (61.21) with Ross McLennan 3rd (80.45)., but perhaps the most significant result of the day was on course 3, where Bryony McLeod was 2nd overall (71.43) and saw off the challenge of one of ESOC's potential course winners.
Course 4 went to Ben Stansfield (52.48), while on course 5, Chris Smithard topped the standings in 33.44, (although he doesn't count for CSC points) and Heather Thomson was 3rd on the course (67.28).
Key points were scored on the junior courses, including two 1-2 course combos. Lucas Baikie won 9A in 25.18, with Fraser Cheyne 2nd (27.02), and on 10B, Hannah Inman led the course in 22.30, from Esme Finch (32.35). There were 3rd place finishes on 9B for Hanna Brindley (41.07) and on 10A for Matthew Owen (26.26).
The event was also the Scottish Inter-Club Championship for 2026, and FVO successfully defended its title for an 11th straight year, holding off stiff challenges from Interlopers and INVOC.