Page 28 - BBHAC Winter 2017-18 Gazette

28

The Bennett Cup Season

2017/18
There was an initial challenge twelve point deficit for a twelve
This season’s Bennett Cup from Graeme Hollingdale who point lead over Hollingdale,
was won by Paul Kerkgya- was narrowly in the lead over this time in a handicap race
to in commanding fashion, Theo Wood after two events, where Hollingdale’s quality
maintaining a leading position and which was increased in the and speed placed him well back
in the handicap over the rest of Orion Mob match over Paul in the starters of this a yacht
the field. Although this was not Kerekgyato who moved up to handicap, and despite one of the
a one horse race the eventual second place. better times on the day earned
winner effectively had a clear run him he 3rd fewest points. Paul
towards winning the Bennett This race was Paul’s favourite meanwhile took the lead and
Cup, maintaining good form and event. Looking back on it event never lost it.
strengthening his position over he remarked:
the nearest challengers from one He continued to build his lead,
event to the next. “This was a real eye opener...The despite a continued challenge
course, through Epping Forest had from Hollingdale whose bid
everything; uphill’s, downhills, narrow eventually faded, and he fell
trails and swamps. The cold, wet day, away from the leaders unable to
just added to the enjoyment.” compete in the last four events.
Other runners did attempt to
This was despite the various make an impression such as
challenges encountered on the Steve Evenden and Jane Brad-
course particularly that of losing shaw, and there was a late burst
one’s running shoes: from Ian Swatton who came
from behind to take third place
“Heading downhill towards this mud at the end of the season.
bath gave plenty of time to calculate
how to avoid this obstacle. Steve Meanwhile Paul moved away
Pairman hit the mud first and lost a from the rest of the field, his
shoe. I wasn’t going to make the same lead growing from 12 points to
mistake. Skirting around the outside, 20, then 30, making it unlikely
the right foot sunk straight in and that he would be caught in the
wasn’t going to let go, closely followed last event and thus effectively
by the left.” clinching the cup with one
event to go.
Unfortunately he did lose his
at this point. “Seconds later I was This was of course the closing
hopping round in my socks. The big 5 handicap which despite it
lesson of the day was, embrace the mud being now officially spring was
and go straight through the middle in run in wintry conditions with
future.” snow on the ground along the
course and at which the field
Hoping to break the hour in the numbered only 17 runners. This
race he unfortunately finished eliminated one of the two only
further down the field than he real challengers Dave Beadle
would have hoped in 1:01. who did not run, but favoured
Jane Bradshaw whose spirited
Paul however reversed the performance and fast time
situation and kept his shoes on
Winner of the Bennett Cup – in the fourth event swapping a earned her second place over the
Paul Kerekgyato whole season.