I notice at this point that I have made no mention of the scoring system used at these matches. While this has changed of late and seems to be in a state of evolution at present, the system in force (with one or two exceptions) up to the mid-1990s was a version of that used in team cross-country races.
There were normally 48 competitors in 12 teams and each individual weighed in separately. The top weight was given 48 points (or whatever number matched the number of competitors) and so on down to the point where those weighing in nothing all scored nothing.
The problem with this system is that it is better for the team to have all four members weighing in small catches than one member with a large catch and the rest with nothing. This point was not lost on the protagonists mentioned above and unsupported allegations of “catch sharing” were often being whispered around. I do not believe that this did go on but it was always tempting. However, I decided long ago that winning the trophy by this sort of means would not allow me to look my fellow competitors in the face and was not, therefore, worth it.
As a result I am pleased to say that I have never heard the faintest hint of a suggestion of this kind of action ever being levelled at either John W’s teams or my own later Trust Company teams.
