Two similar runs from Neil McVicar’s Baledmund Pete and Mark shared the top slots at Barrhill trial.

The Blackface ewes behaved well and the big, steep outrun proved to be the real test for the dogs, with some struggling to find their sheep. Neither of Neil’s dogs had any trouble outbye.

Pete (IM Brownlie’s Boredale Gus, J Menzies’ Baledmund Jess) worked steadily on the course with just minor wavers. But when the ewes broke from the pen and repeatedly ran round the obstacle, it looked as if they had spoiled Neil’s chance of success, but Pete retrieved them and secured the packet. A good shed completed the run in contention for top billing.

Mark (JP McGee’s Glencregg Silver, IM Brownlie’s Lia) made a good start to the drive, but the short cross drive did not afford a great deal of time to make adjustments to the line and his sheep missed the cross drive gate. He made up for that with a clean pen and a good shed and finished with a score that equalled Pete’s, but giving way to kennelmate on outbye work.

On the previous day the ewes ran on flat ground with rough terrain of humps and hollows which brought some dogs in on their outruns, but most were not badly distracted from their lines, although some struggled to keep their sheep on line on the long drive with three sets of gates. Chris Toner’s Niro Mace (R Watson’s Ace, C Toner’s Maid) got off to a good start, with a good outrun and lift, and although the line of the fetch wavered a little, it was nothing serious and he went to a good drive with good, straight lines. Good work at hand confirmed Mace as top dog of the day.

Ian Lockhart’s Roy (P Byrne’s Moss, C McLaughlin’s Nala) ran out a little tight on to his sheep which affected his lift, but his fetch was good and his drive went well with only minor wavers. Another good pen and shed completed the run only two points short of Mace.

A well-paced run gave Dean Aitken’s Tweeddale Grace a win at Crossdykes nursery, where South Country Cheviot ewes ran well on a gently rising course, but tested the young dogs at the pen.

Grace (A Walker’s Tweeddale Roy, D Aitken’s Tweeddale Nell) came slightly tight on to her sheep, but she lifted cleanly and fetched them on a good line. She drove them round the course, and took them calmly to the pen to make a clean job to win her first trial of her local league.

Duncan Robertson’s Lad (DK Evans’ Spot, DJ Lawrence’s Meg) ran out on a good line, lifted smoothly and had a good fetch and drive. At the pen, one ewe jeopardised Lad’s good work, but once he secured the packet, a good shed completed the run in second place, a single point short of Grace.

At Melvich novice trial, a high-scoring run from Daniel Worthington’s Buzz gave the pair top billing there for their second successive year.

Lleyn cross Cheviots proved heavy to move on a good, flat field, but Buzz (D Aitken’s Tweeddale Buzz, K Keith’s Jen) was fit for them. His outrun was a little tight, but he lifted and fetched well and had a good drive, with only minor wavers of the line. A clean pen and shed set the seal on the winning run with a comfortable lead over the field.

Leading Awards

Tangwick, Shetland (Judge: R Driver, Glossop). Open – 32 ran – 1, J Ramsay’s Josie, Ollaberry, 96; 2, J Ramsay’s Spot, Ollaberry, 90; 3, D Murray’s Meg, North Roe, 88; 4, B Smith’s Jack, Dunrossness, 86; 5, B Smith’s Stig, Dunrossness, 84 outbye; 6, C Williamson’s Sweep, Ollaberry, 84. Limit – Nine ran – 1, L Hunter’s Jan, Brae, 43/60; 2, R Farquhar’s Skip, West Burrafirth, 37; 3, R Farquhar’s Jess, West Burrafirth, 28; £680 raised for Cancer Research and North Mavine SDTA

Melvich (Judge: M Sutherland, Halkirk). Novice/Nursery – 17 ran – 1, D Worthington’s Buzz, Skarfskerry, 96; 2, I Sutherland’s Bob, Strathnaver, 89; 3, N Sutherland’s Benji, Strathnaver, 88; 4, M Findlay’s Taff, Melvich, 87.

Barr (Judge: J Shennan, Barr). Open – 45 ran – 1, C Toner’s Niro Mace Drimsynie, 93; 2, I Lockhart’s Roy, Carsphairn, 91; 3, N Gillon’s Lhuke, Barr, 90; 4, E Gray’s Banjo, Ardros, 86 outbye; 5, IM Brownlie’s Tod, Dunbar, 86; 6, H Mitchell’s Brae, Glenfarg, 85. Best nursery dog – N Gillon’s Lhuke, Barr, 90.

Barrhill (Judge: I Wilkie, Tillypronie). Open – 44 ran – 1, N McVicar’s Baledmund Pete, Benmore, 91/110 outbye; 2, N McVicar’s Mark, Benmore, 91; 3, M Young’s Jess, Stranraer, 90; 4, IM Brownlie’s Tod, Dunbar, 88; 5, L Ronaldson’s Bob, Wick, 85; 6, J Paterson’s Scalpsie Roy, Kirkcowan, 83. Best nursery dog – IM Brownlie’s Tod, Dunbar, 88.

Crossdykes (Judge: C Dickson, Coldingham). Nursery – Nine ran – 1, D Aitken’s Tweeddale Grace, Peebles, 85; 2, D Robertson’s Lad, Langholm, 84; 3, F Shennan’s Jim, Barr, 81; 4, T Blacklock’s Gill, Kirkconnel, 77; 5, D Robertson’s Taff, Langholm, 67; 6, JA Common’s Highcliff Buzz, Lockerbie, 66. Pro-novice – 1, T Blacklock’s Chip, Kirkconnel, 81; 2, M McTeir’s Skye, Moniaive, 71; 3, T Blacklock’s Mist, Kirkconnel, 69.

Northumberland League

Whitley Chapel (Judge: D Corbett, Rochester). Nursery – 25 ran – 1, P Telfer’s Telf Con, Haydon Bridge, 87; 2, B Jordan’s Craigshield Dove, Whitfield, 85; 3, P Turnbull’s Vic, Debdon, 84;4, N Walton’s Nell, Alston, 82; 5, M Davidson’s Jill, Lilburn, 74; 6, D Henderson’s Jet, Allendale, 73. Novice – J Tulloch’s Ben, Wark, 73.