Report

The Lincolnshire Poacher Trophy Series entered its 13th year at the Earl of Yarborough's Hendale Wood with a new record entry. Dry conditions and the effects of a long winter, produced fast running tempered only by some recent forestry thinning which tested competitors hurdling abilities.

As predicted the Long Course turned out to be the most competitive in Poacher history. On the night 2008 winner Lincoln's Liam Harrington won narrowly from top UK junior Zac Field (South Yorkshire Orienteers) and Derwent Valley's Ben Beresford with reigning champion Paul Murgatroyd in fifth. The young guns prevailed but with 10 events to go things might change. One to watch is Pete Harris who was well up in the top 10 benefiting from his recent half marathon at Silverstone where he was nearly as fast as triathlete Jensen Button.

Andy Houlden ran well albeit in eighteen position on a very competitive long course but got the better of several accomplished orienteers. The Short Course produced maximum points for Beverley's junior Jake Field who is in good form at the moment. His excellent run was needed though as close behind was Caistor Grammar's Digby Sowerby having his best ever Poacher performance.

The female run of the night came from W10 Yasmin Field in an excellent fifth place ahead of many experienced competitors including ladies chamption, mother Rosie. It was good to see several newcomers, many from nearby villages, sample orienteering including winners The Mead Family from Grasby. Hopefully, as they gain confidence, they will be able to progress to the more challenging short course.

Next week Poacher no. 2 returns to Elsham. Note that the car parking/race registration is in a different place to recent years. It will be at the War Games Centre. Those who kindly re-cycled their Long course maps for others to use at Hendale will be able to collect replacements. Also there are spare Newcomers and Short maps from Hendale free for anyone interested.

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Pete Kullich