Sunday 31 July 2016 - Mulgoa - Garingal has three teams running for gold at the MetrO League finals after some excellent wins in Round 5 at Mulgoa on Sunday (map). The Division 1 Goannas, Division 2 Dragons and unbeaten Division 4 Legless are in the mix for the medals at Galston on September 4 as we host the 2016 finale.
The Goannas beat Uringa-Central Coast with a little help from UR captain Ian Jones who didn't see control #10 on his map and hence got an mp. Toby Wilson was second fastest on course in 37.08. The defending champs are up against arch rivals Big Foot, whom they beat in the 2015 decider.
The Dragons will need to be at their best to defeat the strong SHOO-IKO side after a so-so display against WHO. Times blew out on the terrific new map as many struggled with the physical and mental challenges of true bush O after a long break. The Frill Necks finished with the wooden spoon.
In Division 3, numbers were down due to lots of members being in Europe, so it was with the aid of Northern Tablelands president Felix Burkhard that the three-man Molochs got up over the two-man UR-CC for their first win of the year.
The Legless youngsters (plus hockey nut Ian Jessup backing up on tired legs) just accounted for Bennelong and thrashed WHO in their double header to finish with six wins, and now face a Bennelong side expected to be stiff opposition on the new Galston map. Stablemates the Monitors were soundly beaten by SHOO-IKO but finished a creditable third.
The Blue Tongues and Geckos went down in Division 5.
Thanks again to club captain Jim Forbes for his tireless efforts in putting nine teams on the paddock each round.
Club Training - is on again. See you Tuesdays at North Ryde RSL - 6pm to 7pm. Meet by the oval behind the club.
Sunday 26 June 2016 - Lapstone - A belated "welcome, good luck and congratulations" for the Garingal members who made their MetrO League debuts at Lapstone in Round 4.
Isaac Bray and LJ Taylor (running for Bennelong in Division 5), Angus van Schaik and Vickie Lee (running for the Geckos in Division 5), Heidi van Schaik (running for the Monitors in Division 4) and David Dash (running for the Molochs in Division 3) all completed their courses to make for a successful outing on the tricky track network of Darks Common. (map)
While none of our fair 'maidens' tasted victory, their success in finishing is worth shouting about - especially when experienced orienteers such as BC and MJ (names deleted to protect the guilty!) mispunched. (And can you spot the GO member looking for the finish control in the photo?) 
Division 1 slipped up by only drawing with WHO, missing the chance to go top on goal difference after Big Foot lost to a UR-CC team with three ring-ins.
The Dragons were flogged in Division 2 but a win in the last round will earn them a rematch with SHOO-IKO.
The GO Legless side remains unbeaten in Division 4 and has a tricky double header against Bennelong and WHO in the last round. A win will be enough for a spot in the final, but a slip-up could let the fast-finishing Monitors through. Carolyn Davies is the new leader in the race for the Division 4 individual medal despite coming off second best in a psychological battle with Ian Jessup as the GO teams squared off.
In Division 5 the Blue Tongues had a win and a draw thanks to Riley Grainger scarpering around in sub 34-minutes.
All fun and games. If you have done summer series or sprints and are looking for the next adventure, come along to a MetrO League and do enter on the day. Then come and join a team. The next round is on a new map at Mulgoa on July 31.
Club Training - is on extended school holiday break. See you again on August 2 at North Ryde RSL - 6pm to 7pm. Meet by the oval behind the club.
Sunday 29 May 2016 - Botany - Another great day of inter-club competition yesterday with Uringa hosting the Metro League races at Sir Joseph Banks Park map.
The event was held on the sand dunes of Botany and there were some really quick times with most of runners finishing in under 35 minutes.
There was a big win to the Garingal Dragons in Division 2, with Michael Ridley Smith scoring the 10 points and Jamie and Alex Kennedy teaming up with 8 and 7 points respectively.
There were also wins for the Garingal Monitors, Legless and Geckos.
Results and splits are on the ML web page.
The Great Nosh - is on this Sunday - don't forget to enter - or you can always enter on day - www.bennelongnorthside.com.au. The Great Nosh is a 15 km run through northern sydney bushland almost entirely on bush tracks.
Club Training - is on every Tuesday afternoon at North Ryde RSL at 6pm to 7pm. Meet on by the oval behind the club.
