In a result much akin to NSW finally ending Queensland's rugby league supremacy, Garingal have upset six-time defending champions Big Foot to take out Division 1 in MetrO League for the first time.
The Goannas enjoyed the fast, flat area at Nurragingy in western Sydney to end their long drought. Sadly, Big Foot were missing a handful of their top runners through illness, injury, travel and bereavement.
Still, that should not take away from the best performance of the season from the Goannas. Steve Ryan was second on the day, individual medal winner Toby Wilson third, and JWOC rep Aidan Dawson fifth. That left too much for the Feet to do and they ended up with the same score as third-placed WHO.
Likewise in Division 2, where SHOO won for the first time in 20 years (30-25) against a previously undefeated but also depleted GO Dragons outfit missing three of their quicker runners. Duncan Currie (GO) was fastest in 35.52, and SHOO's Angus Shedden took out his second straight individual medal.
IKO's maiden Division 3 title came at the expense of Uringa-Central Coast 34-21. Curiously, in the match to decide third, all 5 runners from the GO Skinks finished within 1 minute 1 second of each, and Bennelong's Terry Bluett matched the fifth of those.
In the race for the individual medal, David Green (IKO) and Nicole Sellin (GO) tied on 41 points, pipping Simon Louis who is bound for much higher competition after again blitzing the field with a sub-30-minute run. Simon ran 4 times for 40 points.
In Division 4, the young men from KNOX returned to the competition with a bang by easily accounting for the GO Legless crew of North Sydney Boys High 33-21. An mp cost Garingal but KNOX were too strong anyway.
In Division 5, Uringa-Central Coast downed WHO 31-24. John Russell (SHOO) took the medal despite not running (he has moved to Melbourne) after Ellis Leung (GO) ran in the Division 4 final.
The Kennedy clan from Garingal enjoyed a good day out; with mum, dad and youngest son Tom all bagging 10 points in separate divisions.
Tom's success earned him the individual medal (won last year by mum) on 50 points in Division 4 in a tie with Marie Ringer (WHO) who also took the 10 on offer.
A massive thank you to course setter Paul Marsh, operating under trying circumstances, and to the Big Foot crew for a smooth day as the rain thankfully held off. All packed up by 1pm and results online by 2.30pm - terrific work, Andy.
Scores are on the ML web page. Click on the blue links for splits.
Congratulations to the winners, thank you to all the event organisers, and the participants for their great spirit.
We look forward to a 2016 MetrO League season which will debut two new maps - at Mulgoa and Galston, and feature Sir Joseph Banks Park in ML for the first time.
