Lynn Ronaldson and Bob rise to the top at Leanach trials

Consecutive lots of Blackface and then Cheviot hoggs proved tricky to handle on a flat course.

The route of the cross drive took them in the direction of the exhaust pen, making it hard for dogs to drive them to and through the cross drive gate, and their reluctance to enter the pen led to a number of unfinished runs. Lynn’s Bob (S Jones’ Straid Bob, OS Thomas’ Madog Floss) ran out clean to his sheep and lifted them nicely. Although the line of his fetch wavered, he put his sheep through gate and worked well on the drive. The pen took time, but once he had secured his packet, Bob set the seal on the winning run with a good shed and a clear lead.

Stuart Davidson’s Al (SL Davidson’s Dan, D MacDiarmid’s Kim) got off to a good start and although his line wavered, he got his fetch gate, turned the sheep nicely and drove them away and through the first drive gate, but they went off line on the cross drive and missed the gate. Although the pen took a little time, a good shed completed the run in second place.

Peter Martin’s Holly (M Davidson’s Glen, P Martin’s Ivy) stopped slightly short on her outrun, but she lifted her sheep and took them round the course in workmanlike fashion. A clean pen and shed raised the standard, taking her into third place.

Peter’s Jean (A McCulloch’s Sam, M Davidson’s Heather) ran out and lifted nicely, got her fetch gate and started the drive well, but her cross drive went wrong and the hoggs went well off course making for the exhaust rather than the gate. Despite that, Peter had another clean pen, and a good shed completed the run in fourth place.

Leading awards

Leanach (Judge: G Cormack, Dunnet). Open – 48 ran – 1, L Ronaldson’s Bob, Corriegarth, 80; 2, SL Davidson’s Al, Sandbank, 76; 3, P Martin’s Holly, Glenlyon, 75; 4, P

Martin’s Jean, Glenlyon, 74; 5, E Nilsson’s Ruh, Alyth, 73; 6, E Nilsson’s Roxy, Alyth, 72.

Leanach (Judge: I Mackay, Leanach). Novice – 1, A Gordon’s Otis, Forgue; 2, R Scott’s Mac, Bonar Bridge; 3, R Scott’s Dan, Bonar Bridge; 4, L Williams’ Cass, Inverinate; 5, C MacPherson’s Polly, Nairn; 6, C Bell’s Meg, Inverness.

Slindon, Stafford, Four Nations (Judges: N O’Keefe, Ireland; M Jones, Wales). Nursery – 4 teams of 10 dogs – 1, DK Evans’ Wheatwood Flynn,

Wales 184 /200; 2, M Gallagher’s Dalriada Grace, Scotland, 183; 3, R Ellis’ Dewi Ken, Wales, 182; 4, B Smith’s Cruz, Scotland, 172; 5, DK Evans’ Kismet Apache, Wales 172; 6, C Toner’s Reba, Scotland, 168; 7, TB Davies’ Eglwys Holly, Wales, 157; 8, D Henderson’s Burndale Donnie, England, 154; 9, J Ashworth’s Zac, Engand, 153; 10, P Walker’s Patagonia Nap, Ireland, 152; Teams, Wales 1552; Scotland 1493; 3, England 1420; 4, Ireland 1411.