Blackborough preview

Forest League 2018/19 page, including fixtures, results & reports

Click the course colour headings below to see previous winners for that course

Blue

It all depends on who turns up...North Gloucester's Pete Ward and Devon's James Jackson are nicely poised but each needs to add another run. Failing that, the pacesetter Bristol's Gavin Clegg has plenty of points in the bag. Though QO's Richard Sansbury only needs an average run (for him) to overtake Gavin. A clutch of others are still in with a chance. Wimborne's Steven Horsler, QO's Chris Philip and Devon's Malcolm Hilton all gave themselves an outside chance after excellent runs at Staple Hill.

W55 Robin Carter would be favourite for the Handicap league if we rewarded her with a score for giving up her time to control our Blackborough event. Those who don't plan or control or therefore always have an advantage, unlike at say Robin's club Devon OC.

Is this fair and does this encourage people to put on our events?

Green

Graham Hartley finds himself within an ace of a hat trick of wins. That ace will be dealt him if Devon OC's Tom Perry decides to run Blue again, as he did at QOFL5! M14 Tom was runner up to Graham in each of the past two seasons. Ian Whitehead (of Derwent Valley Orienteers and new to our area) has similar scores to Graham. If Ian can replicate his win at Staple Hill, he also has a very good chance of overtaking Graham. Another few runners are in contention for a placing, should Tom or Ian not 'deliver'.

John Trayler leads the handicap league, from Elizabeth Treherne.

Short Green

Her excellent run at Staple Hill puts Jenny Wood strongly in contention to overtake 2017 champion Tony Milroy, who still leads. Jenny has easily made the step up from Light Green, which she won last season. Chris Denton should also fancy his chances, having a similar score to Jenny. Devon's Rob Smith has an outside chance and club mate and 2016 champion Ruth Chesters a theoretical one.

If she runs at Blackborough, South Wales OC's Sue Colbert will be marginal favourite over Jenny and Ruth to win the handicap league.

Light Green

Both were absent from the scoreboard at Staple Hill, but Sam Shirvington and North Gloucester OC's Jess Ward are still well placed. Sam has the chance to "drop" his Ashley Coombe run, by far his weakest to date, but needs to beat Jess by two minutes or so at Blackborough to stay ahead.

Sarah Maynard has only an outside chance if either of the top two turn up but an excellent one if they don't, thanks to the points haul the 2014 winner gained from her emphatic win at Culm Davy (QOFL4).

Orange

As might be expected on a course where most folks are just 'passing through', a new name will be on the trophy for the 15th successive season.

Current leader Dawn Carter and Elaine Green are the favourites; should both turn up Dawn needs to finish a few minutes ahead of Elaine to become champion.

In contention for a placing are runaway winners at two previous QOFLs, Tate Modica (at Wilmot's Pool) and Ben West (Staple Hill), though Tate runs at Light Green level most of the time these days.

Yellow

Some really good competition here! The pacesetter Oliver Lewis has had three very solid runs. But with both Lewis siblings pre-registered to run Orange on Saturday, Annabel Carter and Jacob Shirvington both might see a chance to take advantage. Jacob had a five minute winning margin over Oliver at their last QOFL head to head- anything approaching that form could net Jacob the league title. Annabel Carter is not far behind the boys.

White

The only league that's been won so far...Last season's runner up Chloe Carter has gone one better. She won the first QOFL this season and didn't look back.

Anyone who has a great run at Blackborough has a chance to finish runner up, such has been the lack of consistent competition for Chloe this year.