An exceptional run from Michael Gallagher’s Avon Roy led the day at Tulliemet, with kennel mate, Jacobsdale Bruce, heading the competition, still a long way behind Roy.

The Texel cross ewe hoggs ran consistently well for dogs that handled them with respect, but they were not easily separated at the shed. Although there was no snow on the flattish field with some slight dips and hollows, the going was thoroughly wet.

Avon Roy (A Gallagher’s Cain, A Warmington’s Kim) ran out and lifted cleanly and his fetch went well, until he made a slightly wide turn round Michael at the post. His drive was excellent, with just a slightly misaligned approach to the cross drive gate to fault it; that was corrected in time for a successful passage through the gate. A clean pen followed, and although the shed was a little untidy, once it was made, Roy took full control of his sheep and romped home, 15 points ahead of the field.

Jacobsdale Bruce (J McLaughlan’s Ben, R Herdsman’s Morag) slowed down and stopped on his outrun, but responded to Michael’s whistle and landed behind his sheep. He was tight on them and came on them a little hard, but his fetch went well, until he made a wide turn round the post. The drive went well, with very minor wavers and although the hoggs split before the first drive gate, Bruce got them all through both gates. One hogg played up at the pen, before the packet went in. Again, the hoggs were not easily split, but Michael missed an opportunity to shed and when Roy eventually made the divide, he looked on the remainder before getting on to the target pair to earn second place.

The Blackface hoggs at Hauplands behaved well if handled well, on a soft, wet, flat stubble field where the rain had washed the snow away.

Neil McVicar’s Mark (JP McGee’s Glencregg Silver, IM Brownlie’s Lia) worked very well outbye but his sheep made a wide turn through the first drive gate. The cross drive and chute went well, and although Mark had a little difficulty getting his shed, once it was made, he earned first place with the competition hot on his heels.

The Blackface hoggs at Bettyknowes were generally good round a course which was true to its name, with knowes throughout the field, but they could be less tractable to pen and shed.

Duncan Robertson’s Kemi Cap (DK Evans’ Derwen Doug and Scalpsie Joy) ran out and lifted cleanly, which proved decisive in separating two equally pointed runs. The line of his fetch wavered a little, but the drive started well, and although the cross drive was not so smooth, Cap got his sheep through the gate. The sheep were a little unsettled on the approach to the pen and points were lost there, before Cap secured the packet and finished the winning run with a good shed.

Fraser Shennan’s Belle (F Shennan’s Spot, J Shennan’s Rosie) found her sheep, lifted them cleanly and had a good fetch with a slight deviation of the line. The drive followed the pattern of Cap’s, although Belle’s packet missed the gate, but a clean pen and shed brought her points level with Cap’s.

LEADING awards

Tulliemet (Judge: J MacKenzie, Ardormie). Nursery – 18 ran –1, M Gallagher’s Avon Roy, Connachan, 94; 2, M Gallagher’s Jacobsdale Bruce, Connachan, 79; 3, L Christie’s Bill, Crieff, 69; 4, S McAuley’s Mirk, Connachan, 66; 5, A Olofsson’s Shep, Alyth, 64; 6, P Martin’s Gwen, Glenlyon, 59; 7, K Craig’s Nell, Tulliemet, 45. Novice K Paterson’s Mitch, Kinross, 61.

Hauplands (Judge: AD Carnegie, Comrie). Nursery – 23 ran – 1, N McVicar’s Mark, Benmore, 90; 2, SL Davidson’s Jack, Sandbank, 89; 3, SL Davidson’s Finn, Sandbank, 86; 4, C Toner’s Sue, Drimsynie, 85; 5, N McEachern’s Murphy, Dunoon, 79; 6, L Gast’s Scalpsie June, Scalpsie, 78 outbye; 7, R Howatson’s Craig, Fairlie, 78; 8, A Frame’s Fly, Strathaven, 76; 9, C Toner’s Mace, Drimsynie, 74; 10, L Gast’s Scalpsie Ace, Scalpsie, 72.

Springhill (Judge:WS Elliot, Yetholm). Nursery – 13 ran – 1, J Robinson’s Tweed, Coldingham, 85; 2, IM Brownlie’s Don, Deuchrie, 84; 3, A Dickman’s Glen, Oxton, 79; 4, IM Brownlie’s Jill, Deuchrie, 77; 5, E Runciman’s Kim, Lauder, 72; 6, M Arres’ Midge, Dryden, 71.

Eshaness, Shetland (Judge: AJ Hughson, Brunthamarsland). Nursery – 12 ran – 1, R Farquhar’s Nip, West Burrafirth, 85; 2, J Nicolson’s Flo, Scalloway, 84; 3, C Williamson’s Jed, Ollaberry, 80; 4, R Colclough’s Dot, Westsandwick, 79; 5, W Morrison’s Trent, Yell, 73.

Boreland (Judge: N Gillon, Dailly). Nursery – 14 ran – 1, D Mitchell’s Skye, New Luce, 81; 2, C Armstrong’s Isla, Archbank, 80; 3, S McCrindle’s Tess, Palnackie, 68; 4, J Paterson’s Scalpsie Roy, Kirkcowan, 66; 5, A Stewart’s Niro Jet, Lockerbie, 58; 6, D Mitchell’s Tia, New Luce, 56.

Bettyknowes, Crocketford (Judge: N MacDonald, Shawhead). Nursery – 12 ran – 1, D Robertson’s Cap, Langholm, 80 outbye; 2, F Shennan’s Belle, Barr, 80; 3, WJ Welsh’s Heyshaw Fletch, Sanquhar, 75; 4, J Thomson’s Brober Rock, Carsphairn, 69; 5, D Aitken’s Tweeddale Jill, Peebles, 67; 6, R McClement’s Sosige, Crocketford; 7, JA Common’s Gelli Jack, Lockerbie. Sportsmanship – JA Common’s Gelli Jack, Lockerbie. Novice – 1, J Thomson’s Northtyne Spear, Carsphairn, 70; 2, M Wilson’s Tam, Corsock, 64; 3, R McClement’s Fan, Crocketford. Pro-novice – 1, D Aitken’s Kim, Peebles, 83; 2, H Jackson’s Tom, Carsphairn.

Northumberland League

Ilderton (Judge: A McCulloch, Dalmellington). Nursery – 20 ran – 1, M Davidson’s Heather, Lilburn, 89; 2, D Henderson’s Burndale Mia, Allendale, 83; 3, M Davidson’s Meg, Lilburn, 81; 4, B Jordan’s, Trefynor Solo, Whitfield, 78; 5, B Jordan’s, Flake, Whitfield, 77; 6, M Day’s Wolfie, Alwinton, 71. Novice – A Saul’s Jack, Otterburn, 80.