Here’s a writeup from the Team Leader of the winning team … click here to see a catchers report!
Basically we decided to avoid the labyrinth of ditches and catcher friendly tracks on the flat land between Mere Brow and Scarisbrick and opted for the eastern boundary.
In places we walked along the West Lancs – Chorley boundary but never crossed it. In the half hour we had (extended to 40 mins for catcher travelling) we pegged it along a lane to Sollom, down the hill to the Rufford line of the canal. We walked along the canal until we reached the Croston to Rufford road. At this point we went over to the river (We made sure we stayed on the western side of the ditch that makes the West Lancs – Chorley boundary). We then walked along the western bank of the Douglas up to the Confluence with the Eller Brook (apart for a diversion around the old folks home next to Rufford Station because the tide was in so we could get under the railway bridge.
We then caried on along the Eller brook until we reached Meadow lane. Here we cut back to the canal. Along the Canal until Baldwins Lock and cut across a footpath to Warpers Moss lane.
At this point we where approaching a southern boundary and had to turn west. From there we went along a footpath that goes under the Preston to Ormskirk railway and back to Warpers Moss lane by the houses. Then along two more paths across the A59 and across Red Cat Lane into Mere Avenue. Right at the end into Moss Nook, across to Crabtree Lane. We saw some people loitering by Crabtree Crossing so went to the next crossing that is half way towards New Lane. Then up the path to the Canal Bank. At the canal we turn back towards Crabtree Lane and over the canal at The Slipway. Then across the fields to Higgins Lane. Straight over and round the back of the Industrial Estate. We then cut through to the botom of Lordsgate lane and travelled west parallel with Pippin Street until we reached Blackacre lane.
Along Blackacre lane in braod daylight (No catchers to be seen!!!!!!), across the A570 at Dingle Bells. Up into the fields along a track and waited for it to go dark. Once dark we set off again upto the reservoirs at Devils Wall. and down onto Gaw Hill Lane. From there, there is a footpath the the Aughton / Formby road. We took that and straight across into the fields again. Past the West Tower and down the hill towards Jacksons Bridge. This is where we encountered the catchers for the first time.
The guys with a search light on top of the car. If they had actually bothered to get out of their cosy little car they would have fallen over us! Straight across the lane just south of the bridge and across more fields and we met Lydiate on the south side of the canal next to a small housing estate. We waited there for 15 minutes and then walked cautiously along the estate road towards the A5147. When the rocket went off we pegged it over the canal bridge up the road and into the finish. Chris Gibbons (Team Leader)
Catchers report
Moonlight for our group started in September 03, with circuit training, hikes, manhunt games in woodlands and of course map work (yes that boring part of Scouting). So the day came and spirits were running high, our teams aim was to finish on time with at least 1 life left.
With the event started, the mood now focused on the dedicated, motivated, highly trained catching squad, all looking at maps trying to figure out where the teams would be starting from, to plan their plan of attack.
For us (Captain Horn Blower) off we went into the unknown for the next 8hrs of catching mode. After choosing our spot to hide out, there we laid in wait like a highly coiled spring ready to pounce on any team that passed our way. Then the chase began, teams were coming our way at a rate never known to us before, we had chosen well in our choice of “Trap” this year. As we took lives off teams through out the day our most important question was they having fun? And that every one was ok?
The high point for us this year was not coming joint 1st in the catching trophy, but being there at the finish when the rocket went off, and suddenly teams started appearing from every direction running towards the finish point desperate to get in on time. All teams totally exhausted, cold and tired but their spirits still very high. Then seeing my own team of Scouts running towards the check in point desperate to get in on time. The next week seemed to drag, waiting for their ranking to appear on the District web site. Then to see their position was such a boost to them coming 9th place.
This event I know is a big part of our Scouting life, and it’s down to the commitment of the team who laid this event on for us, thank you Guys.
Stephen Edmond, David Scarisbrick Team- Captain Horn Blower (55th Ormskirk).
