Good work on the course set up a sound base for Jock Welsh and Cree’s winning run, when the going got tougher at hand, at a new trial at Scalspie on Bute

On a good, but dull day, the glare from the sea affected the dogs’ ability to see the sheep at the end of a course that ran down to the coast. The Mule cross gimmers behaved reasonably if handled carefully, but the line of the cross drive was hard to judge.

Cree (JR Welsh’s Tanhill Nap, FW Shennan’s Fizz) worked well on the course but the sheep were difficult to pen. Once that was achieved, the shed proved to be another hurdle and it took several attempts before that was accomplished, though the run took first place.

Sandy McCulloch’s Risp (G McMullan’s Max and Nell) found the course a little harder and again, had difficulties in the close work, but earned second.

Despite generally managing the sheep well, Laura Hinnekens’ Meg (P Williams’ Sweep, H Pritchard’s Nelle) missed the fetch gate and the cross drive gate. She had the top pen of the day and that and a good shed helped balance out earlier mistakes for third.

Approaching her first birthday, Peter Martin’s Daisy (D Naylor’s Straid Moss, P Martin’s Jill) headed up the young dogs’ with a competent run. Although she missed the cross drive gate and found the close work challenging, she proved herself full of promise.

The Mule and cross Suffolk gimmers ran well on the flat field at Yetholm, but they could be difficult to turn round the handler and on to the drive. Again, the cross drive was hard to judge and last minute adjustments and misses were common.

Julie Hill’s Sid (J Hill’s Ban and Kim) worked well outbye, had a drive with minor wavers and though the sheep made a bid for freedom at the pen, Sid secured them before finishing a winning run with a good shed.

Allan Common’s Taff (DC Meek’s Sarnfaen Sean, C Harding’s Tess) followed a similar pattern, but with a little more difficulty putting the sheep round Allan’s feet for second.

David Henderson’s Star (R Dalziel’s Spot, D Henderson’s May) worked well outbye, but a missed cross drive gate put them third.

Leading awards:

Yetholm (Judge: C Dickson, Coldingham). Open – 54 ran – 1, J Hill’s, Sid, Heriot, 89; 2, JA Common’s Taff, Lockerbie, 87; 3, D Henderson’s Star, Allendale, 84; 4, D Wallace’s Boy, Blythbank, 82; 5, M Davidson’s Groesfaen Taff, Lilburn, 80 Outbye; 6, M Arres’ Clyde, Ashkirk, 80 Outbye; 7, D Henderson’s Burndale Brad, Allendale, 80; 8, E Foster’s Moss, Brotherston, 79. Novice – 1, E Foster’s Moss, Brotherston, 79.

Bute (Judge: N McEachern, Dunoon). Open – 57 ran – 1, JR Welsh’s Cree, Dalrymple, 83; 2, A McCulloch’s Risp, Dalmellington, 81; 3, L Hinnekens’ Meg, Auchterarder, 78; 4, I Lockhart’s Jaff, Carsphairn, 74; 5, AD Carnegie’s Linburn Rook, Comrie, 73; 6, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 72; Young dogs – 1, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 72.

Northumberland League – Otterburn (Judge: J Robinson, Springhill). Open – 48 ran – 1, A Temple’s Floss, Holmrook, 85; 2, R Watson’s Ricky, Millom, 80; 3, R Watson’s Kep, Millom, 75; 4, B Swinbank’s Sarnfaen Ben, Isle of Man, 66; 5, K Preston’s Roy, Cathpair, 66; 6, A Temple’s Don, Holmrook, 65.

Rochester (Judge: P Howe, Hawick). Open – 40 ran – 1, S Smith’s Gail, Seahouses, 86; 2, C Balmbro’s Scott, Wooler, 82 Outbye; 3, E Irvine’s Gypsy, Great Elsdon, 82; 4, M Davidson’s Groesfaen Taff, Lilburn, 81; 5, J Pattinson’s Graylees Jean, Roman Wall, 80 outbye; 6, K Preston’s Roy, Cathpair, 80.