SEVENTY-FOUR orienteers from south Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Somerset competed in Vernditch Woods, south of Salisbury.

Sarum Orienteering Club’s event challenged competitors across muddy terrain, where forestry vehicles had gouged out a section of the track.

The best performance of the day came from Sarum’s Ben Chesters, who won the hardest course (blue) by eight-and-a-half minutes with Hazel Cutler, of Sarum, winning the light green course with the same time.

Mum Janet Thirkell and twin daughters Matilda and Alice all finished close together on the yellow course which was won by Salisbury’s Ben and Theo Cochrane.

After sun set, the activity continued with a Wessex Night League competition where competitors used head torches to seek out the control sites.

The winner was Dale Paget of Wessex Orienteers, scoring 390 points in under the onehour limit, 80 points more than second-placed Tim Houlder of Wimborne.

In the British night orienteering championships held at Middleton Woods, near Leeds, Sarum senior orienteers couple Charlotte and Ricky Thornton showed their skill in navigating by only the light of a head torch.

Charlotte gained first place in the Women’s 70 long course in a time of 71mins and 34secs to become British Night Champion in that class. And husband Ricky celebrated his pending entry into retirement with third place in the M70 short course in a time of 90:48.

Sarum Orienteering are running another training evening at Salisbury and South Wilts Sports Club on March 17.

Training will focus on estimating distance, setting a map and accurately following a course.

It starts at 7pm.