Good outbye work gave Peter Martin’s Daisy the edge over Jock Welsh’s equally pointed Cree, at Manor trial.

The Mule ewes ran well on an open course that started on the flat, ran out to a burn flowing across the course, and rose up a slope to the lift post. A narrow passage built over the water allowed the ewes to be fetched across the burn, but they tended to go offline, pulling to their right side as they came back on to solid ground.

Daisy (D Naylor’s Straid Moss, P Martin’s Jill) ran out well, and although she stopped a little short at the top, she made a good lift and fetched the sheep nicely to Peter. The ewes went off line on the first leg of the drive, but they went through the gate and Daisy brought them across the course on a good line and put them through the cross drive gate. A good pen and shed completed the winning run.

Cree (JR Welsh’s Tanhill Nap, FW Shennan’s Fizz) ran out and lifted very well, but the line of his fetch was wavy. A decent drive and good work at hand put the run in contention for first place, but the wavering fetch put Cree into second place.

Ian Brownlie’s Lia (R Hutchinson’s Sweep, IM Brownlie’s Mo) stopped short on her outrun, but had a good lift and fetch. The line of her drive wavered and the ewes made a wide turn, but she had a good pen. The shed was not as smooth as it might have been, but solid work achieved earned third place.

Davie Wallace’s Bill (D Smith’s Cap, D Wallace’s Kate) took in rather much ground on his way out to his sheep but he lifted them well. The line of the fetch wavered, and although the first leg of the drive was good, Davie let them come low on the cross drive, so he could see Bill pushing them up through the gate. A clean pen followed, but Davie let a risky chance pass before he called Bill in to make a good shed and take fourth place, a single point behind Lia.

LEADING awards

Manor (Judge: CM Magnusson, Mid Derry). Open – 40 ran –1, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 89 Outbye; 2, JR Welsh’s Cree, Dalrymple, 89; 3, IM Brownlie’s Lia, Deuchrie, 86; 4, D Wallace’s Bill, Blythbank, 85; 5, P Martin’s Kay, Glenlyon, 87; 6, J McRobert’s Jim, Tweedsmuir, 79; 7, D Smith’s Ross, Lanark, 78; 8, M Arres’ Doug, Ashkirk, 78.

Northumberland League

Hexham (Judge: J Robinson, Coldingham). Open – 47 ran – 1, M Elliott’s Pat, Lazonby, 91; 2, P Telfer’s Jill Haydon Bridge, 87 outbye; 3, T Longton’s Jim, Quernmore, 87; 4, B Jordan’s, Bozo, Whitfield, 86; 5, JA Common’s Cammen Roy, Lockerbie, 84; 6, M Arres’ Clyde, Ashkirk, 82.

Alwinton (Judge: V Smith, Cumbria). Open – 37 ran – 1, D Henderson’s Star, Allendale, 92; 2, M Davidson’s Angus, Lilburn, 85; 3, C Smith’s Ricky, Belsay, 84; 4, B Jordan’s, Bozo, Whitfield, 82; 5, K Preston’s Scruff, Elsdon, 80; 6, M Davidson’s Groesfaen Taff, Lilburn, 79. Novice – C Smith’s Ricky, Belsay.