Club News by Karin Kirk news@octavian-droobers.org
WIN AT WHARNCLIFFE AND CHALLENGES IN THE CHILTERNS
Despite some rough weather making conditions very challenging on the open moor and rocky slopes at Wharncliffe, near Sheffield, Matthew Elkington M20 was the fastest runner at the event taking 1.26.47mins on the longest and toughest 10.5k Black course with 315 metres of climb finding 25 controls, nearly 3 mins ahead of nearest competitor. At the same event top ten places were achieved: Chris McCartney M45 9th taking 1.52.51mins on the 8.5k Brown course with 250 metres of climb, Mike Hampton M65 8th in 1.11.15mins on the Short Blue 4.7k course, Bruce Bryant M55 5th in 54.29mins on the Green 3.9k course, and Hilary Simpson W75 9th in 1.22.08mins on the Short Green 2.9k course.
The Chiltern Challenge staged by Thames Valley Orienteering Club at Nettlebed, was well attended despite some access roads being flooded and Alfie Bullus M14 had a good run through the woods coming 4th on the Light Green 2.81k course finding 11 controls in 34.20mins. Suzanne Humphries W50 was 3rd on the Green 5.04k course taking 42.10mins, Roger Hailey M75 came in 5th in 38.20mins on the Short Green 3.24k course and Daniel Roth M40 was 10th on the short Blue 5.67k course in 45.16mins.
Club Juniors Half Term Training Session
Half term sees nine OD Juniors, who are members of the West Midlands Junior Squad, heading off on a three day training session on the complex contours of the sand dunes in the Gower, Wales: Jeremy Knott, Aimee Morse, Nathan Lawson, Stephen Elkington, Harrison McCartney, Will Heaton, Callum Pearman, Sam Leadley and Heather Rogers.
Rescheduled Compass Sport Cup Heat
This event is now to be incorporated into the 9 March Bentley Wood, near Atherstone, event. Octavian Droobers will be competing against Harlequins, Leicester and Walton Chasers clubs for a place in the final of the national inter club competition. The original venue at Kinver Edge, Worcestershire, on 16 February was cancelled due to the persistent rain hampering car parking arrangements.
14th Feb 2014
OD MAINTAIN TOP POSITION IN THE WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE
After three league events this year Octavian Droobers are in top place with 3542 points ahead of Walton Chasers 3475 points and Harlequins 3384. The event at Beaudesert, Cannock Chase organised by Walton Chasers attracted a good entry from the club including several league first timers.
On the long Brown 8.4k course Nathan Lawson M18 was placed 3rd taking 65.50mins just ahead of club mate Harrison McCartney M16 66.40mins. Amy Sarkies W35 was third on the Blue 6.1k course taking 47.23mins as was Richard Gardener M60 taking 43.20mins on the 4.6k Green course. Juniors did well on the Light Green 3.6k course: Will Heaton M16 4th 38.13mins, Sam Leadley M14 40.19mins and top girl Ella-Rose McCartney W14 9th 44.29mins. Nicholas Buckley M14 came 6th and took 53.36mins on the 3.3k Orange course.
The current fifteen scorers for the club, making up the 3542 points after the first 3 events in the league, are Stephen Elkington M18 with the maximum 300 points, Alistair Powell M35 297 points, Lesley Ross W45 277, Anne Straube W35 267, Barry Elkington M55 249, David Leadley M50 248, Gerry Spalton M65 228, Mel Elkington W50 221,Roman Kotecky M65 210, Richard Perry M40 212, Chris Dwyer M60 211,Lin Page W55 217, John Middler M60 204, Stuart Heaton M50 201 and Sam Leadley M14 200.
The local event at Pooley Country Park organised by Margaret and Keith Willdig with help from Jane Stew attracted a high proportion of new members and their families. The added attraction was the beginners coaching session prior to the event, led by Thelma Spalton.
Oliver Flippance M12 won the Short 2.2k course finding 9 controls in 19.22mins ahead of his mother Kerrie Flippance W35 21.19mins. In third place was Nicholas Buckley M14 in 23.34mins. Callum Pearman M14 sped round the Medium 3.3k course finding 14 controls in a fast time of 43.06mins, Steph Howarth W21 2nd in 44.59mins and Jane Dring-Morris W45 from Leicester Orienteering Club was 3rd in 47.07mins. The more technical 4.6k course where competitors had to use map memory to find the 21 controls was won by Mike King M55 in 50.15mins, John Middler M60 was 2nd in 55.50mins and Oliver King M20 3rd in 59.44mins.
04th Feb 2014