Tracy Bluett travelled to Perth for this weekend’s NOL series, spending her first nights apart from her 18 month old daughter Tiia. But the sacrifice brought rewards when she won the Mother’s Day long distance race this morning. Bluett, who missed out on last year’s WOC team, now seems to have returned to her best form, beating Jo Allison by about a minute and is now second in the National League points table. Clare Hawthorne finished off a good weekend – she was a further 5 minutes behind in third place. Grace Elson, whose consistency has been a feature of the 2005 season, cemented her claim for a WOC spot, finishing fifth behind Anna Sheldon, and is now 4th in the overall standings.

In the men’s race Grant Bluett may have wrapped up the NOL title this weekend – he has won the last 5 races including this morning’s victory. He beat Eric Morris (second) and Dave Shepherd (third). Shepherd needed a win to keep his hopes of the National League title alive, and led the field until a mistake at the 16th control cost him dearly. Local Western Nomad CraigDufty finished off a solid weekend at home – he placed 6th in a quality field.

In the team competition, the Canberra Cockatoos look unassailable in their quest for another title. Victoria failed to capitalise on the non-attendance of NSW star Julian Dent; they made ground on the NSW Stingers yesterday, drawing level on overall points, but dropped behind again today as NSW took out the women’s race, and clinched second in the men’s.

National League 2005 So Far…

The National League now moves to its midwinter hiatus. Many of Australia’s best senior and junior elites will head to Europe for the season, followed by the World Championships in Japan. The NOL resumes in Tasmania in September, as part of the Australian Championships Carnival.

Standings after 10 Rounds are as follows:

Teams

1. Canberra Cockatoos 150
2. NSW Stingers 127
3. Victorian Nuggets 123
4. Queensland Cyclones 86
5. Southern Arrows 76
6. Western Nomads 69
7. Tassie Foresters 50

Men

1. G Bluett ACT 234
2. D Shepherd ACT 199
3. J Dent NSW 178
4. R Preston NSW 165
5. E Morris NSW 163

Women

1. J Allison ACT 225
2. T Bluett NSW 204
3. H Allston TAS 175
4. G Elson TAS 165
5. S Casanova SA 146