Outbye work separated two high-scoring runs at Lesmahagow giving Sandy McCulloch’s Sam the lead over Willie Welsh’s Jet.

The clipped Mule gimmers ran well on a 350-400yd course that fell away from the handler

Sam (A Lehtio’s Coel, BJ Bowen’s Pat) got off to a clean start, followed by a good fetch with just a minor wiggle, turned his sheep neatly round Sandy’s feet and worked well on the drive, with just a minor waver on the way into the cross drive gate. A good pen and shed set the seal on the winning run.

Jet (T Vickers’ Kemi Bryn and Groesfaen Anita) overreacted to a whistle, putting himself wider on his outrun than he needed to be, but he lifted cleanly and had a good fetch.

The drive also went well, but as Jet put the packet into the pen one broke, but was quickly retrieved. A clean shed completed the run in second place, level on points.

Scotch Mule hoggs behaved well at Kinross, but were a little heavy to move.

Ian Brownlie’s Lark (D Robertson’s Joe, A Watson’s Fan) ran out cleanly, lifted the sheep and although he had a waver on the fetch, put them through the gate.

He was a little high on the cross drive, but again got his gate and clean work at hand secured first place, with three dogs hot on his heels, including kennel mate Boyd (N Gillon’s Sweep, IM Brownlie’s Lia).

Newly-clipped Cheviot hoggs ran well on a flat field at Dougarie, if treated appropriately.

Craig Davidson’s Fuzz (C Davidson’s Cap, R Harris’ Straid Jen) ran out well, gave the sheep space at the top of the field, thus helping Fuzz to keep them on good lines on the fetch and drive.

There were breaks at the pen, but Fuzz regrouped his sheep to set the seal on the winnng run.

In the local class Iain McConnell’s Joe (ROM D Shaw’s Ben, J Shanks Kim) ran out wide, but found his sheep and brought them to Iain, although he had a hiccup at the fetch gate on the way in.

On the drive, moving at speed, the hoggs missed the cross drive gate, but good work at hand put Joe ahead of other local dogs.

The previous week at the Stonehouse fundraising trial, Ross Henderson’s Lad took the lead where Mule hoggs behaved well on a downhill course set over three fields bound by ancient hedges and open gateways.

Lad (J Hill’s Priory Kep and Mollie) had no trouble on his outrun. He lifted them well and fetched them down through the gaps, although the line wavered a little as they emerged from the second hedge.

The drive went smoothly and a clean pen and shed completed the winning run.

Chris Toner’s Niro Mace (R Watson’s Ace, C Toner’s Maid) also got off to a clean start, and had a very slight waver on his fetch.

His drive was good, with only a wide turn out of his cross drive gate to fault it and clean work at hand put the run into second place.

Leading Awards

Lesmahagow (Judge: D Clark, Crawfordjohn). Open – 55 ran – 1, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 96 outbye; 2, W Welsh’s Jet, Dalcairney, 96; 3, D Wallace’s Taz, Blyth Bridge, 94; 4, R Dalziel’s Maybe, Ettrick, 92 outbye; 5, B Welsh’s Bob, Beoch, 92; 6, N Gillon’s Boss, Barr, 91.

Penton (Judge: K Anderson, Canonbie). Open – 55 ran – 1, D Scrimgeour’s Sweep, Wigton, 94; 2, M Elliott’s Glyn, Lazonby, 93; 3, M Arres’ Midge, Dryden, 87; 4, W Todd’s Jim, Langholm, 86; 5, H Svobodova’s Mayo, Hallbankgate, 85; 6, M Metcalf’s Jack, Kirkby Stephen, 83. Local – 12 ran – 1, W Todd’s Jim, Langholm, 86; 2, H Svobodova’s Mayo, Hallbankgate, 85; 3, H Svobodova’s Tray, Hallbankgate, 83; 4, JA Common’s Jack, Lockerbie, 76.

Kinross (Judge: S McCrindle, Stranraer). Open – 61 ran – 1, IM Brownlie’s Lark, Dunbar, 90; 2, IM Brownlie’s Boyd, Dunbar, 89 outbye; 3, C Toner’s Niro Mace Drimsynie, 89 outbye; 4, SL Davidson’s Dan, Sandbank, 89; 5, C Davidson’s Kyle, Sandbank, 85; 6, AD Carnegie’s Suus, Comrie, 84.

Dougarie, Arran (Judge: A MacDiarmid, Strachur). Open – 45 ran –1, C Davidson’s Fuzz, Sandbank, 90; 2, N McVicar’s Baledmund Pete, Benmore, 89; 3,C Joelson’s Hillrunner Ella, Sandbank, 85; 4, A McCulloch’s Juno, Dalmellington, 82; 5, N McVicar’s Mark, Benmore, 80; 6, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 75. Local – 1, I McConnell’s Joe, Lamlash, 74; 2, M McNeish’s Pip, Sliddery, 64; 3, I McConnell’s Fly, Lamlash, 59; 6, S McMaster’s Dan, Bennan, 44.

Stonehouse (Judge: J Ogston, Killin). Open – 70 ran – 1, R Henderson’s Lad, Gifford, 98; 2, C Toner’s Niro Mace Drimsynie, 96; 3, AR Mundell’s Rob, Moffat, 93 outbye; 4, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 93; 5, N McVicar’s Baledmund Pete, Benmore, 92; 6, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 91.