The victorious FVO team in the Jamie Stevenson Trophy 2024

Forth Valley Orienteers' young stars passed a stern test to win the Scottish Junior Championship for the third consecutive year on a damp day at the Hermitage, Dunkeld.

Once again, they were the biggest team in the competition for the Jamie Stevenson Trophy, named for the only Scot to win the World Championship, with 34 starters, and another five ruled out with a sickness bug. However, it was clear that they would have to be at their very best to overcome an INVOC team in particular which was going for its first win in the competition.

Neither team scored points on the Green boys course, which was dominated by Interlopers and TAY, although significantly all four FVO athletes outscored their counterparts from INVOC, to ensure there was no early advantage to be gained.

Scarlett Kelly was 3rd in Green girls, one second off 2nd (44.36) after being spooked in the finish lane, with INVOC's Charlotte Burton 2nd, so first blood in the race for the title went to the Eagles. INVOC also won both Light Green courses, but Fraser Cheyne (34.31) and James Edward (42.27) got on the boys podium, well ahead of INVOC's 2nd runner, and a surprise 3rd place for INVOC's Lily Carter in Light Green girls put them one score ahead after the longer courses had concluded.

This was as predicted on paper, but FVO bounced back in style on the shorter courses. The club has arguably the best under 12's in the whole of the UK, and they showed up well, as Matthew Owen (24.30) and Hannah Inman (21.06) won the classes, with Esme Finch 2nd in Orange girls (31.50) and all of a sudden the momentum had shifted. Lachlan Carruthers (27.16) added a 3rd place in Orange boys, as INVOC could only manage 6th in both races.

Luc Darvill only joined the club this week on transfer from Scottish Schools winners Newton PS, and his first outing in Blue and Gold was a successful one, as he won Yellow boys in 12.53. INVOC managed to win Yellow girls, but, with no backup in the class, Sarah O'Halloran (15.33) and Catriona Downie (16.15) were 2nd and 3rd to cement the win for FVO by two points, with Moravian back on the club podium in 3rd ahead of 2023 bronze medallists ESOC.

The SOA Young Volunteer of the Year award was also presented, and the jury decision was a tie between FVO's Peter Owen and Ruari Cottier of ECKO. Both have done amazing things with their clubs this year and a share of the trophy is fitting reward for both guys.