The best outbye work of the day gave Elinore Nilsson and Midderry Kid a headstart at Bute, and they kept their lead over the field till the end of the day.

The Blackface gimmers were fit, strong and determined, running on a big, flat field that could put them out of sight after the first drive gate, where they showed their determination in tending to draw away to favoured ground.

Kid (R Hutchinson’s Sweep, L Magnusson’s Kate) ran out, lifted and fetched very well and earned the outbye trophy for his efforts. His drive started well, but the gimmers took a wide turn through the gate, taking advantage of their obscurity in the blind spot to make their own course. Kid put them straight back on line, drove them across to the gate and turned them neatly through it. A good pen and shed set the seal on the top spot.

A decision was made on outbye work at Ardroscodale, a new trial venue on Bute, to give Stuart McCrindle’s Kate the edge over Neil Gillon’s equally pointed, Shweep.

The Texel gimmers were light to handle early in the day on the gentle downhill course, and some handlers retired from the field, but the running improved throughout the day. A hollow on the first leg of the drive proved tricky for the dogs.

Kate (S McCrindle’s Bill, M MacIlwraith’s Tanhill Nell) ran out and lifted cleanly, which worked to her favour on the prize list. Her fetch went well, with just a minor waver, but the first leg of the drive took a toll and a waver on the cross drive compounded that, but she put her sheep through the gates. The gimmers broke from the pen before Kate secured them successfully and completed her winning run with a clean shed.

Shweep (N Gillon’s Bhoy, S McCrindle’s Peg) also started with a clean outrun, but a wiggle at the lift ultimately cost him first place. The line of the fetch wavered a little, and the first leg of the drive proved to be a minor bogey, with a waver at the cross drive gate detracting further, but again Shweep got all his gates. A good pen and shed set the seal on another win worthy run, eventually ranked second.

LEADING awards

Bute (Judge: C Toner, Drimsynie). Open – 82 ran – 1, E Nilsson’s Midderry Kid, Balintore, 89; 2, S McCrindle’s Zak, Palnackie, 86 Outbye; 3, C Cropper’s Derwen Gus, Drimsynie, 86; 4, C Joelsson’s Louise, Sandbank, 84; 5, AD Carnegie’s Linburn Rook, Comrie, 83; 6, D McMullan’s Sid, Dunloy, 82; 7, T Longton’s Jim, Quernmore, 82; 8, K Keith’s Sassy, Durness, 79. Local – 1, R Howatson’s Jed, Fairlie, 71; 2, C Paterson’s Tan, Kilmalcolm, 59.

Ardroscodale (Judge: N Docherty, Bute). Open – 60 ran – 1, S McCrindle’s Kate, Palnackie, 88 Outbye; 2, N Gillon’s Shweep (Sweep), Dailly, 88; 3, C Caert’s Lukey, Belgium, 86; 4, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 85; 5, P Martin’s Jill, Glenlyon, 83; 6, N Gillon’s Boss, Barr, 81.

Duncan Campbell memorial, Strathlachlan (Judge: R Watson, Millom). Open – 60 ran – 1, C Toner’s Tammi, Drimsynie, 88; 2, S McCrindle’s Kate, Palnackie, 87; 3, C Cropper’s Ali, Drimsynie, 86; 4, D Robertson’s Moss, Langholm, 84; 5, K Keith’s Sassy, Durness, 83; 6, K Keith’s Jen, Durness, 82. Local – 1, C Toner’s Tammi, Drimsynie, 88; 2, C Cropper’s Ali, Drimsynie, 86; 3, C Joelsson’s Storybrooke Louise, Sandbank, 80; 4, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank,70.

Northumberland League

Powburn (Judge: D Corbett, Rochester). Open – 45 ran – 1, D Henderson’s Star, Allendale, 98; 2, D Henderson’s Jewel, Allendale, 93; 3, JW Common’s Grit, Lockerbie, 88 Outbye; 4, JB Foster’s Graylees Tipsy, Earlston, 88; 5, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 83; 6, M Davidson’s Blair, Lilburn, 77. Novice – A Saul’s Jack, Otterburn.