The best drive of the day gave Cameron Dickson’s Lethens Craig a comfortable lead at Springhill.

The Cheviot ewes ran well on a good day, and were manageable at the pen, although the odd one proved cheeky there. The compact course was set across a slope, rising up across the drive. Some handlers had problems after the lift, finding the sheep hard to keep on line.

Cameron’s Craig (J Hastie’s Cap and Rosie) was tight at the top of his outrun, pushing the sheep offline; a fast lift kept them on the same track and a speedy fetch made it impossible to get the sheep on line. Once the ewes turned round the post, Craig took control of them and achieved the best drive of the day, where other young dogs struggled to drive them through the gates. A clean pen and a good shed ensured first place.

Conversely, Andrew Dickman’s Jake (R Hutchinson’s Sweep, C Taylor’s Meg) had the best outbye work of the day, but missed his cross drive gate. Attempted breaks marred the pen before Jake secure them and finished the run with a clean shed and second place.

The Cheviot ewe hoggs at Heriot ran well on the big, flat ‘airstrip’ field if the dogs gave them time, but they could split if pushed.

Davie Wallace’s Tess (D Wallace’s Bill and Meg) worked well outbye, but on the cross drive, the sheep split. Tess reunited them and managed to put them through the gate. Davie gave the sheep time and penned without any trouble, although some others found them splitting under pressure there. A good shed completed the winning run.

The Blackface hoggs at Culloden behaved well on the rising course, if the young dogs gave them space. The long drive tested the young dogs but most managed it, although some missed gates. The sheep were light to handle on a good, bright day and proved difficult to pen.

Yet again, Geordie Simpson led the way, with Lad and Groesfaen Mac this week’s top dogs. The winning runs were similar; good outbye and on the course, all gates successful, and a good shed completing the work. Both dogs had some difficulty at the pen; Lad (DW Davies’ Prince, H Hughes’ Nan) penned without too much trouble, but Groesfaen Mac (A Owen’s Llangwym Cap, Taddymoor Gem) had an awkward sheep in his packet and that difference put him into second place, a point behind Lad.

LEADING awards

Culloden (Judge, B Ross, Ardgay) - Nursery - 21 ran - 1, G Simpson’s Lad, Forgue, 95; 2, G Simpson’s Groesfaen Mac, Forgue, 94; 3, N Sutherland’s Hill, Strathnaver 89; 4, G Simpson’s Jaff, Forgue, 88 Outbye; 5, I Sutherland’s Jimmy, Strathnaver, 88; 6, S Renwick’s Shiel, Inverbroom, 85; 7, H MacLean’s Moss, Culloden, 81; 8, G Simpson’s Whisp, Forgue, 80; 9, M Sutherland’s Liz, Lybster, 79 Outbye; 10, W Cormack’s Jill, Dunnet, 79; Older dogs – 10 ran - 1, J Ross’ Nan, Achaillach, 93; £250 Raised for Maggie’s Highland.

Heriot (Judge: M Arres, Dryden) Nursery - 12 ran 1, D Wallace’s Tess, Blyth Bridge, 88; 2, J McRobert’s Nell, Tweedsmuir, 87 Outbye; 3, RB Henderson’s Bonnie, Heriot, 87; 4, J Hill’s Lee, Heriot, 80; 5, J Hill’s Gail, Heriot, 72; 6, R Henderson’s Roy, Crawford, 69; 7, H Brown’s Cap, Coulter, 56; 8, J L’Etang’s Jude, Slamannan, 45; Novice – 11 ran – 1, J L’Etang’s Slip, Slamannan, 76; 2, S Morgan’s Jill, West Linton, 69; 3, J L’Etang’s Gyp, Slamannan, 67; 4, D MacDiarmid’s Sally, Glenrath, 65; 5, S Morgan’s Fred, West Linton, 61; 6, K Blackwood’s Jill, Sanquhar, 59;

Springhill (Judge: JB Foster, Earlston) Nursery -13 ran –1, C Dickson’s Lethens Craig, Coldingham, 77; 2, A Dickman’s Jake, Oxton, 72; 3, WS Elliot’s Ben, Yetholm, 70 Outbye; 4, J Robinson’s Rob, Coldingham, 70 Outbye; 5, J Robinson’s Jill, Coldingham, 70; 6, D Gilchrist’s Jade, Oxton, 69; 7, M Arres’ Moss, Ashkirk, 64; 8, M Arres’ Doug, Ashkirk, 60; Novice - P Howe’s Mirk, Hawick, 74 ; 2, P Howe’s Pip, Hawick, 54;

Durness (Judge, G Nicholson, Lairg) Older dogs – 9 ran - 1, S Renwick’s Dice, Inverbroom, 76; 2, H MacLean’s Danny, Culloden, 66; 3, J Sutherland’s Upland Jan, Durness, 64.