Patchwork Challenge

The Midlands points league is impressively headed by Nick Crouch at Collingham and Besthorpe with 126 points and 117 species. A little way back on 115 points are Dave Roberts and Matt Griffiths. Thy will have to have an exceptional autumn to catch Nick. Alan Kydd is the only midland patcher over 100% and has a healthy lead in the comparative table. Dave Roberts is nearly there with only 1 species needed and Richard Harbird is still looking like he may join the 100 club.

The super competitive London mini leagues are all to play for as we head into the final third of the year. Adam Bassett is out front at Little Marlow with 140 points but only 2 points behind is Paul Whiteman at Leyton Marsh. A group of 5 patches, headed by Marek Walford, comprise the chasing pack with scores in the 120s. The comparative table is equally tight with less than 2% covering the top 4 places. At the top of the pile is Paul Whiteman on 101.4% switching places with Adam Bassett who is second with 99.3%.

As with the South West we have a runaway leader in the points table for the South coast. Andy Johnson at Sandy Point has amassed 162 species and a mighty 225 points. Highly commended indeed but still nearly 13% off his target total. Second and third place are taken by Ian Roberts and Liam Curson on 174 and 166 points respectively. In the comparative table it is Liam Curson and his patch at Cuckmere Heath and Splash Point with a strong showing as the only competitor already over 100% with 104.4%. Excellent work Liam! Andy Johnson slips to second in the comparative stakes with Ian Roberts third.

Kev Rylands is way out front in the South West with a 16 species and 46 point advantage with his Dawlish Warren patch seemingly uncatchable. It will take some mega finds by Gavin Haig in second to close that gap. Paul Bowerman and Shaun Robson arent far behind Gavin and perhaps the race for second will be the more interesting competition as the year draws on.  Roger Musgrove is so far out front in the comparative league that victory seems assured (although next years co-efficient may be somewhat different!). Dan Chaney deserves a mention as well as the only other patch already over the 100% mark which is already a good distance back as he sits on 114.1%.

The Pugneys vs Orgreave battle continues with Jonny now holding a good 13 point lead over Mark, with Pete not too far off in 3rd now, partly thanks to the Stilt Sandpiper and Neumann's. Richard and Chloe May are the only other centurians so far. The Inland North - Points Position Name Patch Species Points % 1 Jonathan Holliday Pugneys/Calder Wetlands 139 173 98.85714 2 Mark Reeder Orgreave 133 160 3 Pete Antrobus Marbury/Neumann's 136 157 105.3691 4 Richard and Chloe May Burton marsh 107 126 94.02985 5 Peter Williams Laycock 86 90 N/A 6 George Watola Heslington East 76 81 106.5789 7 Mark Breaks Stocks Reservoir 74 81 56.84211 8 James Common Stobswood 76 80 108.1081 9= Adrian & John Northwich Woodlands 62 68 0 9= Mike Shurmer Long Mynd (North) 63 67 78.82353 11 Steve Seal Sutton Res 52 53 12 David Horncastle Doncaster Lakeside 0 0 N/A 13 Toby Collett Saltholme RSPB 0 0 0 14 Will Jones Ruyton-XI-Towns/Wykey 0 0 0 15 Graham Hulme Oakenclough 0 0 N/A 16 Ha...

Whitburns Ian Mills now has a healthy lead in the points table with Jane T over on the other side of the country the only other double centurian so far. The rest of the top 5 is filled up with north east patches. The Coastal North - Points   Position Name Patch Species Points % 1 Ian Mills Whitburn to South Shields 164 245 101.2397 2 Jane T Red Rocks 159 202 82.61759 3 Iain Robson Druridge Pools 143 186 93.23308 4 Alan T Newbiggin 135 170 89.23885 5 Stewart Sexton Howick 122 149 73.39901 6 James Spencer Barmston 111 136 N/A 7 Colin Bushell Hesketh Out Marsh 81 99 69.71831 8 James Common Cresswell Pond 56 61 67.03297 9 Matt Thomas Thurstaston and Heswall Shore 0 0 N/A 10 Pete Marsh Heysham observatory 0 0 N/A 11 Stuart Sharp Leighton Moss 0 0 N/A The comparative league is a lot closer, Ian M is still leading this one as well but his lead is only 8% from Iain R just down/up? the road. A good September/October and it could be anyones to win! The Coastal North ...

John B on Tiree holds a healthy lead in the points table at the moment but the Shetland duo are breathing down his neck and with autumn upon us I can see a lot of changes happening in this league by teh end of September! Coastal Scotland - Points Position Name Patch Species Points % 1 John Bowler Balephuil, Isle of Tiree 157 253 100 2 Rob Fray Virkie/Toab/Exnaboe 131 225 88.58268 3 Gary Bell Sumburgh 134 222 90.98361 4 Jim Dickson Crinan Canal Corridor 148 197 97.04433 5 Mark Newell Isle of May 126 192 N/A 6 Mark Lewis Girdle ness 132 188 111.5727 7 Paul Higson Quoyangry 124 175 76.08696 8 Barrie H Burray 120 173 104.8485 9 Ian T Askernish 111 159 113.5714 10 Phil C The Gramps 108 150 N/A 11 A.Whitehouse Gird...