Four of us, Dick, Mary, Michael and myself, had an early start arriving just before 9am for the MCPF Championships at Braunstone ( Leicester) on Saturday, to participate in the Print & PDI competitions. The competition is hosted by Leicester Forest CC, and over 100 people were there from various clubs. Alex (the Aussie) from Permajet, who lives in Leicester was there, selling paper at 20% discount!

Twenty six out of the Federation's 117 clubs took part - each club submitting an entry of 15 images for Round 1 of both Print and PDI sections. After adjudication by 3 Judges, marking out of 5 marks each (total 15 max) the top 8 clubs in each contest go through to Round 2 where a further 15 images are chosen by the clubs, some of which may already have been used in Round 1 (no guarantee that the same mark will be given!)

So how did we do?

PDI's - Round 1 -157- Position 19/24- joint with Duston CC Our top scorers were: Doug's Mono Nude - Sentinel 13 Malcolm - Steaming Well 12 Dick - Embrace 11 Derek Walton - Mountain Hare 11 The rest were 10's and 9's   We were just 1 point below arch rivals Leamington PS   Round 1 Winners: Smethwick 190, Cannock 187, Arden 185   After Round 2 the overall PDI leaders were: Smethwick 326, Arden 318, Cannock 317, Wrekin Arts 316. Smethwick and Arden automatically go through to the PAGB championships at Warwick University.

Steaming Well © Malcolm Ranieri

Worcester Cathedral © Phil Welch Small Copper © Jill Orme

Prints - Position Round 1 - 169 - 11/22 Joint with Lichfield CC Our top scorers were: Cliff - Northern Lights 13 Mary - Male Gelada Baboon 13 Jill - Small Copper 12 Malcolm -  Homeward Bound 12 Malcolm - Great Central Departure 12 Phil - Worcester Cathedral 12 Dick - Embrace 12   We did better with prints as usual, so not too far off the mark, but still did not get through to Round 2.   Round 1 winners: Smethwick 203, Arden 191, Wrekin 187 and Cannock 178    After Round 2 the overall Print Leaders were: Smethwick 346, Arden 321, Wrekin Arts 320, Burton - on - Trent and Cannock joint 302. Smethwick and Arden again automatically go through to the PAGB championships in Blackburn.

The images that gained the best marks tended to be nature, and high impact sports e.g. Olympic activities. There seemed to be a lot of motorcycle and jet ski images, but I think the judges became tired of them as we certainly did!

Landscapes struggled to get better than 12 or 13, and Hollie and Fredau those famous models kept appearing in differing stages of undress!

I think to be more successful we will need to have targeted outings and activities focused on competition point-gaining shots.

Food for thought!