Apologies that the service has been so poor this Series. Partly it's my not running since Runcorn, my hamstring went again after 2k of Bowdon. Secondly, I lost my laptop on the way to Corsica.
The headline at Boars Head was Damian's disqualification, he would have won. There was a debate how it should be handled within the Summer Series because clearly he deserved the 60 points. I remember losing the points that would have given me leadership of League 5, the consequence of an unmarshalled junction, and fuming that I should be penalised because of the organisers' shortcomings. On the other hand, Rob Downs rarely takes the appointed route and we've never been moved to compensate him. We decided that the we had to abide by the race officials decision and Damian got 27 points. One has the feeling that come the season's end it won't make a whole lot of difference.
Those who are perhaps not too upset at Damian's misfortune are Malcolm, third in the race and 1st. M40, Tony, 1st.M60 and Mike Hill, on the Wilmslow podium on his debut.
Kate Sutton scored her first Wilmslow Ladies' 60 points for a long time and was 1st.F40, Angela was 1st.F50. They were followed by Janine, Sue, Soraya, Laura (making her debut), Carolyn, Melissa, Sarah, Julie and Gail.
In League 3 Paul Garnett and Andy Watts followed Tony and Mike in. Then two more debutants; Simon Bolton and Jeremy Bygrave. Jarrold and Gareth led-in Richard Lawson, also making his first appearance in the Series.
I don't remember when Gavin last took 60 points but it was good to see, this was his type of course. Geoff was second and Peter Bream, suddenly you can't stop him racing, third. After that was Steve Russell, Andy Dodd, Angela, Janine, Sue and, a shadow of his former self, Don.
League 5 is producing a great contest, Chris again setting the pace with his fourth 60 points. Soraya, there again, with 59, Laura, 58. Then Carolyn, Simon, Melissa, Sarah, Roy, Julie, Trevor and Gail.
Race 8 brought a big upheaval in the tables and we've now hit the period when they become their most interesting. We bid a sad goodbye to the early pacemakers; Chris, Carolyn and Gail. I hope they've enjoyed their time in the limelight for harsh reality is likely to mean every race, however well they run, will see them slipping further down the table. Tony is the new leader, Paul (Garnett ) is second, Gareth third, Paul (Norris) fourth with Janine fifth. They too, however, are likely, before too long, to be looking anxiously over their shoulders.
Janine leads the Ladies followed by Angela, Carolyn and Gail.
League 3 has a lot of similarity to the Main table; Tony, Paul, Gareth and Paul.
Janine also heads League 4. She leads Angela and Andy Dodd but watch Geoff and Patrick who are hovering dangerously.
Chris is setting the pace in League 5 ahead of Carolyn, Roy and Gail but Alan matches him with four 60-points.
I'll get the age/sex results and tables out before we get to Shuttlingsloe.
Ian