Big Foot, KNOX make it a MetrO double
- Last Updated: Monday, 23 September 2019 14:03
Big Foot and KNOX have dominated the Sydney MetrO League finals for 2019, taking out four divisions and three individual medals between them.
WHO's Matt Hackett set the toughest test for a MetrO final for many years on a steep map at Mulgoa by the Nepean River, and there were some long times among the 180+ participants.
The difficulty only seemed to inspire the lads from KNOX (pictured left with coaches Dylan Sherman and Thomas Gordon) who have improved phenomenally this year.
They were unbeaten in Division 5, thrashing an under-strength WHO 39-15 in the final and having the four fastest runners on course. Alex Smith took out the individual medal with 61 points from seven matches.
In Division 3 they reversed their earlier round loss to Bennelong Northside 31-24 and Heath Wallace won the individual medal with 59 points.
The Feet had already wrapped up Division 1 in the first-past-the-post system and crowned their third straight triumph with Ewan Shingler winning the individual medal (58 points).
Big Foot were unbeaten in Division 4, comfortably accounting for SHOO-IKO who were without their individual medal winner Shiona Will (56 points).
The Garingal Frill Necks won Division 2 by 30-25 over a SHOO-IKO team that was a runner short on the day. Melissa Thomas (Bennelong) won the individual medal on 68 points.
Match scores and the individual tables have been updated on the ML web page.
A big thank you to all our course setters, controllers, organisers, results gurus, participants and most of all the club captains who co-ordinate their teams and ensure a successful comp. This year we had a record 32 teams.
Serena gets late NSW schools call-up
- Last Updated: Thursday, 19 September 2019 11:12
Uringa's Serena Doyle has received a late call-up to the NSW schools team for the Australian champs in Wagga next week.
Serena has previously represented the Carbines and is in her HSC year. She comes into the seniors girls team.
Oliver Freeman (Big Foot) is a late withdrawal from the team. Oliver has been selected in an under-15 NSW western area cricket rep team and they are playing on the same days as the school individual and relays in Dubbo.
Oliver chose cricket over orienteering this time but he loves both sports. He will be at Oceania for the other events.
We wish these young athletes all the best.
All set for 2019 MetrO League finals
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 18 September 2019 14:30
The Sydney MetrO League wraps up for 2019 on Sunday with the finals on WHO's newish Mulgoa map on Sunday.
Mulgoa was unveiled in 2016. Its steep slopes and low visibility made for slow times, and should prove a good test.
Seven of the nine clubs are in finals and this year we will present the perpetual shields and team, medals immediately once results are finalised.
KNOX (Divn 5), Big Foot (Divn 4) and Bennelong (Divn 3) are all unbeaten and aiming to complete the perfect season. Big Foot already have the Frank Assenza Trophy for Division 1 wrapped up, while SHOO-IKO and Garingal Frill Necks will battle for Divn 2 supremacy.
In the race for the individual medals, the leaders in Divisions 1-3 have a 10-point lead over their closest rivals and hence only need to finish on Sunday to win.
Ewan Shingler (BF) has a 10-point lead over Toby Wilson (GO) in Division 1. In Division 2, former JWOC rep Melissa Thomas (BN, sans baby Ryan) is in the same boat - Michael Ridley-Smith (GO) is second by 10. In Division 3 it's Heath Wallace (KNOX) over Gordon Wilson (BN).
In Division 4, Shiona Will (IK) has a 1-point margin over Terry Bluett (BN) but word has reached our ear that she may not be there on Sunday, while in Division 5, Alex Smith (KNOX) has an 8-point buffer over BF youngster Oliver McFarlane.
Anyone not in a team is welcome to come and do Enter-on-Day. This is the final club event in NSW before Oceania.
Ali G makes junior AUS relay team for Oceania
- Last Updated: Thursday, 12 September 2019 19:03
Congratulations to Big Foot's Alastair George on being named in the Australian junior relay team for the AUS-NZ Challenge at the Oceania champs later this month.
Alastair, pictured left, has represented Australia at the junior world champs the past two years and has been an outstanding young orienteer for some time now.
Congratulations also to these ONSW members on their selection in the AUS relay teams for Oceania:
Women: Serena Doyle (Uringa, W18), Tracy Marsh (Big Foot, W40), Barbara Hill (Garingal, W50), Jenny Enderby (Newcastle, W50), Cath Chalmers (BF, W50), Paula Shingler (BF, W55), Debbie Davey (Waggaroos, W60), Hilary Wood (Central Coast, W60), Jenny Hawkins (Northern Tablelands, W70)
Men: Damien Enderby (NC, M40), Shane Doyle (UR, M50), Jock Davis (BF, M50), Michael Warlters (UR, M50), Rob Vincent (NC, M60), Eoin Rothery (BF, M60), Steve Flick (Bennelong, M70).
As you can see, the 50-55 age group relay teams are all NSW orienteers.
Also, event organisers have added a 55+AS short relay age class. Now that entries have closed, anyone who has pre-entered and wishes to change to this new class is asked to contact the selectors - Hilary Wood or Jock Davis.
