Page 29 - BBHAC Winter 2016-17 Gazette

Athletics Report 29
The Bennett Cup Season

2016/17

The initial lead was taken by extra 3 miles finding the start
This season’s Bennett Cup was Oscar Hussey and then passed line a mere 20 minutes after
won by Mike Simms in a solid to Ian Swatton who held it for a everyone else had departed. But
performance which was a model couple of events even opening he said “I was just about able to
of consistency and tenacity, a up a comfortable lead of nearly catch the back of the race by the end
patient waiting game of taking 30 points after the Christmas and, by the grace of the handicapper, I
the chance of winning at the yacht handicap from eventual stayed in contention for the cup.”
most vital moment in season of winner Mike Simms. The lead He was able to close the
nine events spread out over six pack settled down to a regular points gap down to four in the
months. group of contenders who penultimate event, the Ranelagh
usually occupied the top ten mob match, thus setting up a
positions over the remaining potentially close finish in the
course of the season, often Closing 5.
exchanging positions on the In the Closing 5 Luca sought to
leader board. At this stage
the leading pack consisted of continue his great form which
newcomers and familiar faces had inspired him all season.
Mike Sims remarked “Come
such as Steve Pairman, Chris
Pike and Glen Read, as well the Closing 5, I knew I had to stay
ahead of Luca Ercolani to win the
as Jessica Keene and Austin
Adams who after having won competition. From the handicaps it
looked doable but Luca had been
the Parris Shield in the summer on wonderful form all through the
may well have fancied his
chances in the winter handicap. competition so I knew I’d have to
give everything”.
He did in fact stay with the
leading pack for the first four Luca ran the fastest time of
events before falling away due the day but finished in 18th
to injury and other matters place, whilst Mike running an
but most of the others stayed impressive 34.59 clock time
consistent and in reach of the finished 10 places above him,
leader, who by the new year was enough to overhaul his lead and
Luca Ercolini. secure the Bennett Cup.
Luca and Mike Simms assumed He continued “Thanks to my
first and second places favourite downhill I did it – just.
respectively and held these The difference between first and
positions until the last event, second came down to 15 seconds from
Luca seeming to consolidate memory. Glad I put double knots in
his lead especially when in the my laces.”
seventh event, the Orion Mob Commenting on his winning this
match when he won the Club 7 trophy Mike further remarked:
½ mile championship. However “I’ve always enjoyed running in
Mike Simms maintained a Bennett Cup events. It’s almost too
constant presence behind him good to be true having such great races
in the chase and managed to just a short jog from my house in Coney
keep in contention. In the Club Hall.” Coming into the 2016/17
10 mile championships when competition he had participated
his navigation skills deserted in 17 events on the trot and
him he ended up running an intended to do all 9 events.