Good work outbye and at hand gave Duncan Robertson’s Moss the lead at Upper Cleugh.

The Texel cross ewes were good to handle round the testing hill course and at the pen, but they were difficult to shed. A burn ran across the bottom of the hill, with the course above and the close work on the flat. Dogs had to push the sheep through a ford to reach the pen.

Duncan Robertson’s Moss (M Magnusson’s Myllin Davey, AD Carnegie’s Jess) took a good road out and lifted the sheep smoothly. He fetched the sheep down, round the post and drove them up to the first drive gates, but the ewes were slightly off line and missed the gate.

Moss recovered well and made a good line across and safely through the cross drive gates, with a nice turn and a good line back and a clean pen followed. Duncan and Moss worked well at the shed, split the four sheep cleanly and earned first place.

Billy Common’s unregistered Jaff (JA Common’s Taff, S Dodd’s Jill) ran out well, took a good route to the back of his sheep, lifted them nicely and held a good line down the fetch, with not a point dropped outbye.

He continued to work well round the post, made a good line up to the first drive gates, and a good cross drive, but the ewes became a little unsettled.

Although they were more difficult to work with at the pen and shed, Jaff’s good start ensured second place.

Murray Common’s Grit (DK Evans’ Spot, DC Meek’s Queen) ran out and lifted the sheep in a controlled manner. He fetched them on a good line, and round the post; keeping a good pace, Grit drove them through the gates with only minor deviations.

He brought them nicely through the ford, onto the flat where he made a clean pen. The ewes were determined not to separate at the shed, but Murray and Grit worked well, eventually split them and finished as first placed novices.

In the pro-novice class, Dean Aitken’s Tami (D Aitken’s Tweeddale Buzz, D Brown’s Belle) ran out on a good, pear shaped line, lifted smoothly and fetched on a good line. Tami put the ewes round Dean and drove them back up, but they became a little unsettled and a set of gates were missed. Tami recovered, brought the sheep through the ford, achieved a good clean pen and shed, and finished in first place.

Leading awards:

Upper Cleugh, Lockerbie (Judge: S Anderson, Waterbeck). Nursery – 15 ran – 1, D Robertson’s Moss, Langholm, 89; 2, JW Common’s Jaff, Lockerbie, 87 outbye; 3, JW Common’s Cowlow Rosie, Lockerbie, 87; 4, D Robertson’s Lad, Langholm, 63; 5, JA Common’s Sam, Lockerbie, 60; 6, M Forster’s Meg, Irongray, 57; 7, D McMillan’s Fleet, Carsphairn. Novice – 1, JM Common’s Grit, Lockerbie, 89; 2, JM Common’s Queen, Lockerbie, 74 outbye; 3, A Mair’s Wispa, Parkgate, 74; 4, J Thomson’s Drift, Penpont, 59. Pro-novice – 1, D Aitken’s Tami, Lockerbie, 88; 2, H Jackson’s Kilcreen Nan, Penpont, 87; 3, D Aitken’s Tweeddale Buzz, Lockerbie, 81.

Cashlie (Judge: N Docherty). Nursery – 24 ran – 1, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 86; 2, M Magnusson’s Kemi Sally, Mid Derry, 85; 3, E Nilsson’s Midderry Kid, Meigle, 83; 4, K Howlett’s Jock, Comrie, 82; 5, A MacKenzie’s Jess, Lochearnhead, 81; 6, R Lewis’ Ruby, Killin, 79; 7, L Magnusson’s Liz, Mid Derry, 78 outbye; 8, M Watt’s Nap, Kirriemuir, 78 outbye; 9, M Magnusson’s Blake, Mid Derry, 78; 10, K Craig’s Edith, Tulliemet, 76. Novice – K Craig’s Edith, Tulliemet, 76.

Hunter’s Hall (Judge: P Kinstrey, Peebles) Nursery – 20 ran – 1, R Dalziel’s Mack, Ettrick, 72; 2, C Dickson’s Stuart, Coldingham, 71; 3, A Dickman’s Mirk, Oxton, 65; 4, J Allan’s Ellie, Mt Benger, 57 Outbye; 5, C Dickson’s Thistledown Ged, Coldingham, 57; 6, M Arres’ Moss, Ashkirk, 56 outbye; 7, J Robinson’s Corky, Coldingham, 56; 8, A Dickman’s Jaff, Oxton, 55; 9, J Robinson’s Jack, Coldingham, 54; 10, J Foster’s Ted, Earlston, 53. Novice – G Pate’s Tib, Humbie.