Ross Henderson’s Jude succeeded at a new trial at Lamington, despite the efforts of an awkward Blackface gimmer to defect from the shed.

The Blackie gimmers ran well on a big flat course, but could be testing at hand, and the long outrun defeated some dogs.

Jude (RB Henderson’s Glen, D Wallace’s Jen) ran out well, but slightly over shot his sheep and lifted slightly off line. He fetched them to Ross with just minor wavers, and his turn on to the drive away was a little wide after he came round Ross at the post, but he quickly got them on line.

Although the gimmers took off at speed, they kept a good line and went straight through the gate and Jude managed to turn them neatly on to the cross drive, drove them well and made a neat return to the pen. He worked well at the pen, and despite the efforts of an awkward single, intent to be alone, he eventually made a good shed and earned first place.

The Blackface gimmers at Doon Valley, ran consistently well on a rising course, throughout the day but they, too, could test the dogs in the close work.

Stuart McCrindle’s Kate (S McCrindle’s Bill, M MacIlwraith’s Tanhill Nell) took first place with a well controlled and flowing run. She ran out and lifted cleanly and kept very smooth lines on the fetch and drive, with just minor wavers. Her pen was clean but it took time to bring about the shed, but once done, and the sheep well held, Kate had the winning run behind her.

The course for Yell trial at Hillswick was set on a recently topped grass field, which ran downhill, with a narrow start to the field which required the first leg of the drive to go back out through the fetch gates. The Shetland cross Cheviot gimmers were flighty if lifted too harshly on a cold, windy and showery day.

James Nicolson’s Todd (MC Shearer's Bob, S McAuley's Gael) had a perfect outrun and lift but was offline on his fetch. The line of the drive wavered, but Todd’s pen was clean and a good shed completed the winning run.

Brendon Smith’s Chip (P Byrne's Jim, A Gallagher's Tess) too, had a clean outrun and lift, but was offline on the fetch, and had the odd waver on the drive. He was a little hesitant to shed, lost a little at the pen, but a near perfect single set the seal on the championship.

Rob Colclough’s Malin (J Priest's Mirk and Sky) overran a little on the outrun, but lifted perfectly. Malin had a minor waver on the fetch, and finished the first placed limit run with a perfect pen.

Two very steady, well matched runs with no holes in the work from Peter Martin’s Daisy (D Naylor’s Straid Moss, P Martin’s Jill) and Chris Toner’s Tammi (BK Renwick’s Nip, C Toner’s Graham’s Sam) needed a run off to separate them at Cowal. That was no easy solution, and the judge was left scratching his head as they continued to keep level pegging until the final stage of the the decider when Daisy’s shed gave her the lead over Tammi.

LEADING awards

Cowal (Judge: A MacDiarmid, Strachur). Open – 80 ran – 1, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 95 Run off; 2, C Toner’s Tammi, Drimsynie, 95; 3, JR Welsh’s Sonny, Dalrymple, 94; 4, N Gillon’s Boss, Barr, 93; 5, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 93; C Cropper’s Derwen Gus, Drimsynie, 92; 7, W Welsh’s Doug, Dalcairney, 91; 8, W Welsh’s Cap, Dalcairney, 91.

Doon Valley (Judge: M Gallagher, Connachan). Open – 60 ran – 1, S McCrindle’s Kate, Palnackie, 94; 2, D Smith’s Ross, Lanark, 91; 3, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 90; 4, L Hinneken’s K’eira, Quothquan, 89 Outbye; 5, A Stewart’s Malta Mollie, Lockerbie, 89; 6, W Welsh’s Cap, Dalcairney, 88 Outbye; 7, N Gillon’s Shweep (Sweep), Dailly, 88; 8,GC Gardner’s Meg, Lesmahagow, 87; 9, AR Mundell’s Taff, Moffat, 86; 10, B Welsh’s Jack, Moniaive, 85; Confined – 1, B Welsh’s Jack, Moniaive, 85.

Lamington (Judge: C Armstrong, Archbank). Open – 66 ran – 1, R Henderson’s Jude, Crawford, 88; 2, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 87 Outbye; 3, W Welsh’s Cap, Dalcairney, 87; 4, A Stewart’s Malta Mollie, Lockerbie, 84; 5, D Robertson’s Moss, Langholm, 81; 6, M McTeir’s Mak, Corsock, 78.

Yell, Shetland (Judge: MC Hughson, Scalloway). Open – 25 ran – 1, J Nicolson’s Todd, Scalloway, 81 Outbye; 2, D Murray’s Ali, North Roe, 81; 3, J Ramsay’s Drift, Ollaberry, 80; 4, B Smith’s Chip (Flash), Dunrossness, 78; 5, B Smith’s Lass, Dunrossness, 77; 6, W Morrison’s Meg Jnr, Yell, 75; Championship – 6 ran - 1, B Smith’s Chip (Flash), Dunrossness, 92 /110; 2, J Nicolson’s Todd, Scalloway, 86; 3, J Ramsay’s Drift, Ollaberry, 80; Limit – 10 ran – 1, R Colclough’s Malin, Westsandwick, 56 /60; 2, C Williamson’s Flynn, Ollaberry, 54; 3, J Ramsay’s Spot, Ollaberry, 50; Young handler – 1, Y Mouat’s Floss, Yell, 43 /60.

* The apparent anomalies in the English National scores is due to the team comprising the top five dogs from each day, placed according to their positions on the day rather than numeric scores. Champion is decided in run off of top three dogs.

English National (Judge: M Elliot, G Bonsall). Open – 150 ran – 1, S Perello’s Murgia Jim, 190/220 run off; 2, V Morris’ Gwyn, 194 run off; 3, G Watson’s Bob, 182; 4, RJ Hutchinson’s Jonah, 186; 5, M Davidson’s Angus, 179; 6, A Legar’s Tip, 178’ 7, J Christin’s Treflys Taff, 179; 8, P Johnson’s Groesfaen Sam, 176; 9, B Smith’s Roy, 166; 10, B Smith’s Kirby, 178; 11, C Balmbro’s Liz, 173; 12, M Hutchinson’s Shadwell Susie, 165; 13, M Banham’s Rob, 177; 14, M Hutchinson’s Katie, 169; 15, D Wood’s Polly, 160; Res M Longton’s Treflys Gwyn, 176. Brace – 1, RJ Hutchinson’s Denwyn Moya and Jo; 2, R Dean’s Denwyn Jim and Redgate Ruby.

Northumberland League

College Valley (Judge: J Fyall, Tarset) Open – 38 ran – 1, M Davidson’s Angus, Lilburn, 93; 2, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 92; 3, C Balmbro’s Liz, Wooler, 89; 4, C Balmbro’s Bill, Wooler, 87; 5, JA Common's Elwy Roger, Lockerbie, 86; 6, JW Common’s Jimmy, Lockerbie, 76. Novice – JM Common's Queen, Lockerbie, 64.