Clean work outbye and good work on the rugged, hill course at Inverlocharig gave Jock Welsh’s Tanhill Sam a comfortable lead over the field.

The setting out team presented the Blackface gimmers very well at the top of the course and although some packets were sticky to move off, the sheep generally behaved well, but the rough terrain of rocks and rashes meant that the judge looked for good, practical work rather than polished, trial lines.

Tanhill Sam (A Baines’ Tanhill Rick and Tanhill Meg) ran out and lifted cleanly and worked well on the fetch and drive, with only minor wavers. He completed the hill course, which had no shed, by penning successfully after retrieving an attempted break, and secured first place in the challenging trial.

Ian Brownlie’s Boredale Gus (N McVicar’s Spot, CT Ennion’s Judy) also ran out cleanly to the top, but he lifted the sheep at an angle and they took a zig zag route down the fetch. Again, the drive wavered a little, and the pen was secured once a minor break had been stopped.

Stephen Martin’s Lexie (W McAllister’s Hope, K Howlett’s Tess) responded to the whistle on her outrun, and again, the lift was a little off the true. The fetch and drive wavered a bit, but a clean pen boosted the standard of the work and Lexie finished in third place, a point behind Gus.

The Blackface and mule gimmers at Bute ran well on a flat course, all the wet day long, although dogs that disturbed their sheep at the lift, suffered for that.

John Casey’s Dan (T Lawrenson’s Clyde, S Duckworth’s Tess) ran out clean to the top and settled the sheep at the lift, although it was not quite on line. The fetch was good and the drive was very smooth, with neat turns. A clean pen and shed completed the run, a point ahead of a closely packed list.

Stuart Davidson’s Gillieglen Queen (SL Davidson’s Rob, A Gilles’ Peg) started out just a little wide, but was soon in the correct position and she too settled her sheep at the top and lifted nicely. The fetch went well, with a little wiggle of the line and, again, the drive was very good with straight lines and neat turns. Another clean finish brought the second placed run to a successful conclusion.

Jock Welsh’s Cree (JR Welsh’s Tanhill Nap, FW Shennan’s Fizz) ran out to the top and lifted cleanly. The line of the fetch wavered a little and the sheep moved above and below the line of the cross drive, but Cree got his gates and made a clean pen. Cree had a momentary indecision before he shed and finished the work in third place, a single point behind Queen.

Leading awards:

Bute (Judge: K Wood, Blairlogie) Open – 48 ran – 1, J Casey’s Dan, Largie, 95; 2, SL Davidson’s Gillieglen Queen, Sandbank, 94; 3, JR Welsh’s Cree, Dalrymple, 93; 4, A McCuish’s Moss, Skipness, 91 Outbye; 5, N Gillon’s Shweep, Dailly, 91; 6, N McVicar’s Mist, Benmore, 90; 7, JR Welsh’s Tanhill Sam, Dalrymple, 89; 8, C Davidson’s Cap, Sandbank, 88; Local – 1, R Howatson’s Cliff, Fairlie, 80; 2, N Docherty’s Taf, Windyhall, 62; 3, A McKirdy’s Jean, Kerrycroy, 58; 4, L Gast’s Fae, Scalpsie, 56; 5, W Crafford’s Ted, Ardbeg, 53; John Baker memorial prize (Outbye) - J Casey’s Dan.

Inverlochlarig (Judge: D Galbraith, Comrie) Open – 42 ran – 1, JR Welsh’s Tanhill Sam, Dalrymple, 91; 2, IM Brownlie’s Boredale Gus, Bridge of Cally, 86; 3, S Martin’s Lexie, Cashlie, 85; 4, C Davidson’s Cap I, Sandbank, 81; 5, F Shennan’s Mia, Barr, 78; 6, P Martin’s Jen, Glenlyon, 76; Local – 1, A MacKenzie’s Bhoy, Lochearnhead, 74.

Northumberland League – Whitfield (Judge: B Bell, Hamsterly) Open – 67 ran – 1, R Fawcett’s Lola, Northumberland 92; 2, A Temple’s Flint, Holmrook, 91; 3, D Henderson’s Brad, Allendale, 90; 4, M Elliott’s Tip, Lazonby, 90; 5, R Hutchinson’s Sweep Littledale, 90; 6, R Watson’s Nidderdale Nidd, Millom, 88; Novice - A Canham’s Gem, Hexham.

Powburn (Judge: J Easton, West Ditchburn) Open – 49 ran – 1, P Turnbull’s Glen, Debdon, 94; 2, P Turnbull’s Mick, Debdon, 92; 3, J Robinson’s Max, Coldingham, 90; 4, J Robinson’s Min, Coldingham, 88; 5, I Murdoch’s Ben, Northumberland, 87; 6, M Davidson’s Taff, Lilburn, 86; Novice - A Canham’s Gem, Hexham.