In June 1981, Bagness finished one minute behind champion Chris Hirst in the men's individual event of the British Orienteering Championships.

[3] In April 1984, Bagness won the male competition at the Jan Kjellström International Festival of Orienteering, representing the Airienteers club.

[5] He entered the men's event of the Australian Orienteering Championships in October of that year and finished in first place.

[7] He entered the men's individual competition of the 1985 World Orienteering Championships, but fell during the race and lost.

[12] Bagness entered the relay race of the 1993 World Championships on a team with Jonathan Musgrave, Stephen Palmer and Steven Hale.