Richard's Skip maintains unbroken streak in Shetland league

The cross ewe lambs behaved well if dogs kept off and gave them space, but they were inclined to bolt under pressure. The cross drive was hard to judge and some packets slipped by the gate. Some dogs had trouble driving the sheep away on the first leg of the drive, but for Everor, the second trial of the day on the same ground at Scatsta, the handler’s post was moved to make more space for the dog to put the sheep through.

At the North Mavine trial, Skip (C Robertson’s Viking Kim, M Robertson’s Dun Chailleann Clay) worked steadily outbye and at hand, but the lambs went offline on the cross drive and missed the gate.

Everor's trial benefitted from the improved access to the drive away and Skip’s run benefitted from Richard’s experience on the cross drive; this time, they managed to put the sheep through the gate and completed the run with their fourth win to their credit.

Two good and fairly similar runs from Michael Gallagher’s Dalriada Grace and Rex took first and third places at Muthill.

The Texel cross lambs ran well on the course but needed to be kept on line on the fetch and needed to be pushed on the first leg of the drive. They were generally willing to go through the chute but could be less co-operative at the shed.

Grace (M Gallagher’s Hillrunner Shep and Val) ran out and lifted faultlessly, worked well on the course with only minor wavers on the fetch and drive and completed her winning run with clean work at hand.

Andy Carnegie’s Bess had a good outrun and lift, a good fetch with just minor wavers but she let one lamb slip by the first drive gate and had small wavers of line on her drive. A clean finish put the work into second place.

Michael’s Rex (M Gallagher’s Avon Roy, E Nilsson’s Hillrunner Ivy) again, ran out and lifted cleanly, but his lines on the fetch and drive fell a little behind kennel mate Grace’s. A clean chute followed, and although one lamb repeatedly bolted from the packet before Rex made a successful shed, once the job was done Rex took third place.

Abington saw Blackface ewes run well on a small, upwardly sloping course and although they could be confrontational on the first leg of the drive, they penned well but were not quite so readily shed.

Laura Hinneken’s Lhinnek Gimli (K Blackwood’s Flint, L Hinnekens K’eira) ran out slightly tight to his sheep and was rather quick at the lift. The line of his fetch wavered, but his drive was good and a clean pen and a good shed completed the run with a comfortable lead over the field.

Leading awards

Muthill (Judge: S Alexander, Rickarton). Nursery – 23 ran – 1, M Gallagher’s Dalriada Grace, Alyth, 96; 2, AD Carnegie’s Bess, Comrie, 91; 3, M Gallagher’s Rex, Alyth, 90; 4, E Nilsson’s Roxy, Alyth, 88; 5, G van Dyck’s Graylees Lismore, Aberfeldy, 84; 6, L Moore’s Tess, Lintrathen, 82; 7, K Dickson’s Dell, Fintry, 81; 8, AD Carnegie’s Ben, Comrie, 80; 9, P Simpson’s Meg, Kirriemuir, 79; 10, K Dickson’s Ruh, Fintry, 78. Novice – L Moore’s Tess, Lintrathen, 82.

Everor, Shetland (Judge: M Cameron, Lerwick). Nursery – 15 ran – 1, R Farquhar’s Swarthoull Skip, West Burrafirth, 90; 2, Y Mouat’s Scott, Yell, 87; 3, B Smith’s Cruz, Dunrossness, 84 ; 4, J Nicolson’s Lou, Scalloway, 79; 5, C Williamson’s Drift, Ollaberry, 78; 6, L Hunter’s Bjorg, Scatsa, 77; 7, W Morrison’s Brian, Yell, 74; 8, J Ramsay’s Pen, Ollaberry, 73; 9, L Hunter’s Jan, Scatsa, 71; 10, S Fraser’s Nap, Cullswick, 69.

North Mavine, Shetland (Judge: M Cameron, Lerwick). Nursery 15 ran – 1, R Farquhar’s Swarthoull Skip, West Burrafirth, 85; 2, J Ramsay’s Pen, Ollaberry, 84; 3, AWP Hughson’s Spot, Brunt Hamarsland, 83; 4, Y Mouat’s Scott, Yell, 81; 5, R Colclough’s Lark, Westsandwick, 80; 6, B Smith’s Cruz, Dunrossness, 76; 7, W Morrison’s Brian, Yell, 75; 8, I Murray’s Nortrow Ross, North Roe, 72; 9, S Fraser’s Nap, Cullswick, 66; 10, J Nicolson’s Lou, Scalloway, 65.

Abington (Judge: I Lockhart, Carsphairn). Nursery –19 ran – 1, L Hinneken’s Lhinnek Gimli, Quothquan, 84; 2, IM Brownlie’s Glen, Dunbar, 79; 3, I Fleming’s Nell, Douglas, 76; 4, L Hinneken’s Viclo Sir, Quothquan, 59; 5, H Brown’s Jacobsdale Change, Coulter, 58; 6, D Wallace’s Buzz, Blyth Bridge, 54; 7, C Caerts’ Moss, Biggar, 41; 8, J Murtagh’s Moss, Dunbar, 39; 9, R Reid’s Glebefort May, Carnwath, 38; 10, R Clarke’s Scout, Biggar, 25. Novice – 1, R Clarke’s Floss, Biggar, 66; 2, L Ralston’s Chunks, Torrance, 59; 3, J Mitchell’s Aaro, Broughton, 53; 4, J Ralston’s Brie, Torrance, 37.

Wester Middleton (Judge: R Dalziel, Ettrick). Nursery – 13 ran 1, J Robinson’s Jaybeez Drift, Coldingham, 60 outbye; 2, M Arres’ Hemp, Ashkirk, 60; 3, B McSporran’s Dot, Wester Middleton, 54; 4, J Robinson’s Rock, Coldingham, 55. Novice – 1, B McSporran’s Dot, Wester Middleton, 54; A Saul’s Tess, Longformacus, 53.

Northumberland League

Whitefield (Judge: M Day, Alwinton). Nursery –13 ran – 1, M Davidson’s Henry, Lilburn, 90; 2, D Henderson’s Burndale Roy, Allendale, 84; 3, M Davidson’s Poppy, Lilburn, 83 outbye; 4, M Davidson’s Pepper, Lilburn, 83; 5, D Henderson’s Burndale Donnie, Allendale, 75; 6, J Tulloch’s Moss, Wark, 59. Novice – T Aspin’s Dell, Alnwick, 79.