Watch out Double O Severn, here come Newtown! Whilst most Irish orienteers were struggling through the Leinster heather, 16 pupils from 5th form at Newtown School, Waterford headed off to the Bristol area to compete in the annual 007 weekend encorporating the BOK trot and the SW Middle Distance Championships. Not knowing what to expect but based on advice from a BOK member, 6 boys and 3 girls did the Green course on day 1 at Stockhill which consisted of 2.9 km and 15 controls. The area proved very technical with lots of small depressions and hillocks yet fast terrain.
Ben Slevin finished best in 4th place out of 82 with a time of 36.55. Stephen Scallan (7th) and Jamie Petch (8th) were next best, The best of the girls was Isabel English in 47th place. The other 7 took the Light green with Beth Rochford best, finishing 6th out of 19. Day 2 at Stourhead was more familiar terrain.
Stephen Scallan had an excellent run to finish 5th out of 84 in 46,46 over 4.1 km. Andrea Harvey was best of the girls in 50th place in 69.25. On short Green, Ruth Harrison finished 28th out of 51 entrants. Adventure Caving in the Cheddar Caves and a visit to the Science museum in Bristol were also squeezed into a hectic weekend
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