Good work on the course and clean work at hand gave Julie Hill’s Liz first place on home ground at Carcant.

The NCC ewe lambs ran very well on an elongated course with a dip on the left side, which saw the drive away run through it. If the young dogs managed not to upset the sheep at the top, they were very manageable and could be kept on a good line. Most dogs fetched them on a straight line, albeit not always the strictly accurate one, but more impressive than a zig zag route. Most packets were turned neatly round the handler without attempted breaks.

Liz (RB Henderson’s Skid, J Glasgow’s Lynn) ran out to her sheep but was a short distance behind them, and lifted slightly off line. Once she had squared up her sheep on to the right line, she worked very well, with just minor wavers on the fetch, a good turn and drive away and slight wavers on the cross drive. She made a good return to the pen and completed the winning run with a clean pen and shed.

Sion Morgan’s Mid Derry Kim (MC Magnusson’s Seal, L Magnusson’s Mol) slightly over shot his sheep at the top which impacted on his lift, but his fetch was as straight as an arrow. The lines of the drive wavered a little and the turn from the first leg onto the second was wide. The lambs fought at the pen, and although Kim put them inside without too much trouble, she disturbed them a little on the way to the shed, but her shed was otherwise excellent.

Dave Smith’s Ross (DW Davies’ Prince, RA Evans’ Spotan) ran out and lifted cleanly and had a good fetch with minor wavers. The line of the drive away weaved a little, as did the cross drive, but the sheep slipped the cross drive gate and that made a hole in the work. A good pen and clean shed helped to restore the good standard and the run earned third place.

On a fine day at Culloden, George Simpson’s Elwy Rodger took first place, for the second week in succession, accompanied by kennel mate Kim in second place.

The Blackface hoggs generally ran well on the rising course but they could be flighty on the course and were reluctant and tricky to pen.

Rodger (J Richardson’s Shep, AH Roberts’s Morag) ran out and lifted cleanly and fetched the sheep to Geordie on a very good line. The drive went well, with just minor wavers of the lines. The hoggs were a little awkward at the pen, but Rodge was fit for them and soon had them secured. After some time spent at the shed, the separation was made and Rodger won the day.

Kim (J Hey’s Don, SM Hey’s Tess) too, ran out cleanly to the top. She lifted well and had a good fetch, with minor wavers, and a very good drive. The hoggs broke before Kim penned successfully, and completed her run with a good shed, which took a little time to come off but helped her into second place.

LEADING awards

Bute (Judge: A MacLean, Dunoon ) Open –30 ran –1, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 95; 2, N McVicar’s Mist, Benmore, 94; 3, C Cropper’s Penllwyn Fly, Drimsynie, 90; 4, P Martin’s Jill, Glenlyon, 88 Outbye; 5, N McVicar’s Bill, Benmore, 88; 6, R Middleton’s Jake, Neilston, 87; £150 raised for Scottish National trial funds

Carcant (Judge: JW Common, Lockerbie) Nursery –22 ran – 1, J Hill’s Liz, Heriot, 90; 2, S Morgan’s Mid Derry Kim, Heriot, 88; 3, D Smith’s Ross, Lanark, 86; 4, IM Brownlie’s Oz, Deuchrie, 85; 5, GC Gardner’s Gum, Lesmahagow, 84; 6, J Hill’s Bill, Heriot, 81; 7, I Fleming’s Ted, Douglas,79; 8, M McColm’s Sky, Leadhills, 77; 9, A Watson’s Moss, Shotts, 74; 10, B MacFarlane’s Cap, West Linton,73; Novice – 7 ran - 1, K Aitchison's Beth, Mossdale, 81; 2, K Blackwood’s Jill, Abington, 80; 3, R Reid’s Taff, Carnwath, 77 Outbye; 4, M McColm’s Sky, Leadhills, 77; 5, T McInley’s Pat, Coulter, 65; 6, D Coulthard, Pathhead, Min, 62 Outbye; 7, A Walker’s Midge, Hamilton, 62;

Culloden (Judge: EC MacKinnon, Lochcarron ) - Nursery - 18 ran - 1, G Simpson’s Elwy Rodger, Forgue, 90; 2, G Simpson’s Kim, Forgue, 87; 3, W Cormack’s Roy, Dunnet, 81

Outbye; 4, N Sutherland’s Heatherhill Heck, Strathnaver, 81; 5, G Simpson’s Celt, Forgue, 78 Outbye; 6, W Cormack’s Nap, Dunnet, 78; 7, I MacKay’s Rim, Leanach, 77 Outbye; 8, G Simpson’s Hemp, Forgue, 77; 9, H MacLean’s Lynne, Culloden, 75; 10, T McPhee’s Scot, Wick, 69; Older dogs, - 8 ran – 1, S Campbell’s Belle, Skye, 83 Outbye; 2, S Campbell’s Flint, Skye, 83; 3, H Munro’s Lil, Inverness, 82;

Glenmoy (Judge: A Wilkie, Glenmoy) Nursery – 25 ran – 1, CM Magnusson’s Wheatwood Bee, Mid Derry, 85; 2, AD Carnegie’s Sweep, Comrie, 82; 3, M Watt’s Nap, Kirriemuir, 81; 4, D Galbraith’s Todd, Comrie, 79 Outbye ; 5, L Magnusson’s Glencar Eire, Mid Derry,79; 6, CM Magnusson’s Fan, Mid Derry, 78; 7, K Howlett’s Spot, Comrie, 76; 8, R Lewis’ Ruby, Killin, 69; 9, S Martin’s Mo, Cashlie, 63 Outbye; 10, M Caul’s Denwyn Mist, Balkello, 63; Novice – 5 ran – M Lundin’s Stewie (Sture), Blairgowrie, 72;

Northumberland League

Whitfield (Judge: K Cropper, Shap) Nursery – 22 ran – 1, M Davidson’s Angus, Lilburn, 94; 2, E Gray’s Ness, Great Elsdon, 93; 3, C Balmbro’s Liz, Wooler, 92; 4, E Gray’s Telf Joff, Great Elsdon, 91; 5, P Telfer’s Telf Jill Haydon Bridge, 90 Outbye; 6, E Gray’s Brenna, Great Elsdon, 90; Novice - C Pattinson’s Jean;