ARCHIVED TRIAL RESULTS

MARCH 2003

RESULTS

24^th March 2003    Sheep Dog Results.

It  was  a  long  day  for  judge  Athol  Clark  of  Middleton  at  the  Quernmore  open  trial  held  at  West  View  Farm  on  Sunday.  Fortunately,  the  clocks  had  gone  forward  at  midnight  as  light  was  fading  fast  when  Athol  judged  the  last  of  82  runners.  Furthermore,  the  day  finished  with  a  three  way  tie  on  points.  It  could  not  get  much  closer  than  this!

The  course  was  set  in  a  big  field  which  was  complicated  by  a  number  of  humps  and  hollows.  Due  to  one  such  dip  in  front  of  the  post  at  the  end  of  the  fetch,  the  sheep  were  turned  on  level  ground  some  ten  metres  in  front  of  the  handler.  The  running  was  on  Mule  hoggs  which  behaved  quite  reasonably  throughout,  but  tended  to  be  more  difficult  early  in  the  day.  Some  packets  continued  to  be  skittish,  but  were  manageable  if  picked  up  with  care.

Roger  Handy  and  Jim  set  a  high  standard  with  an  early  morning  run  achieving  92  points  out of  100  and  proving  that  although  the  sheep  had  never  been  trialled  on  before,  they  could  be  mastered  with  careful  handling.  It  was  into  the  afternoon  when  with  run  number  48  James  Burrows  and  Scott  came  to  the  post.  James  went  with  the  majority  and  sent  Scott  to  gather  from  the  right.  A  well  controlled  outfield  run, finishing  with  a  clean  pen  gained  them  93  points  and  the  lead  by  a  single  point.  It  was  late  in  the  day  when  Joe  McRobert  and  Spot  with  run  number  65  and  Timothy  Longton  at  number  69  also  finished  on  93  points.  The  result  was  decided  on  the  basis  that  James  with  Scott  and  Timothy  and  Vic  were  both  clean  on  outrun,  lift  and  fetch  but  Timothy  lost  six  driving  points  against  James’  four  giving  James  and  Scott  victory  by  the  narrowest  of  margins.  Joe  and  Spot  had  two  points  deducted  from  their  outrun  to  leave  them  in  third  place.

This  was  James’  second  open  victory  with  Scott,  having  won  at  Silverdale  last  summer.  He  is  seven  years  old  and  Irish  bred  by  Con  McGarry,  sired  by  his  Ben  and  out  of  his  bitch  Mist.  His  breeding  goes back  to  Templeton’s  Roy.

The  day  also  provided  a  useful  and  entertaining  innovation.  After  getting  everyone  in  the  right  mood  by  feeding  them  free  hot  dogs,  the  trial  organiser  Thomas  Longton  requested  volunteers  from  amongst  competitors  and  spectators  to  enter  a  judging  competition  for  those  with  no  previous  experience.  23  intrepid  but  enthusiastic  souls  stepped  forward  to  judge  three  selected  runs  during  the  afternoon.  The  points  lost  on  each  section  were  displayed  after  each  run,  each  competitor  remaining  anonymous  until  the  finish.  The  result  was  even  closer  than  in  the  trial,  as  there  was  a  four  way  tie  with  14  points  difference  from  the  judge’s  score  over  the  three  runs.  With  the  luck  of  the  Irish,  not  to  mention  considerable  skill  and  experience,  Jim  Conway  received  the  prize  as  his  score  was  judged  to  be  the  closest  all  round.  Everyone  agreed,  especially  the  spectators  who  took  part,  that  as  well  as  being  great  fun  the  exercise  was  a  valuable  one.  We  desperately  need  more  judges,  but  how  are  they  to  gain  the  knowledge  and  the  confidence?  Perhaps  this  is  a  way  to  encourage  folk  to  have  a  try.  Well  done  Thomas,  everyone  agreed  it  was  a  great  idea.

The  previous  day  at  the  Briercliffe  charity  open,  Gordon  Birchenall  of  Chinley  judged  an  entry  of  64.  The  running  was  on  Lonk  and  Lonk  x  Swale  hoggs.  The  course  was  undulating  with  a  slight  rise  to  the  lift.  Most  gathered  from  the  right  as  the  hazards  seemed  to  present  themselves  on  the  left.  The  packets  of  three  stayed  together  well  if  not  put  under  undue  pressure,  but  could  be  difficult  to  keep  on  line  especially  on  the  fetch  and  many  had  difficulty  at  the  fetch  gate  and  again  at  the  crossdrive  gate  due  to  the  deceptiveness  of  the  ground.  The  sheep  were  difficult  at  the  pen  throughout  the  day,  though  they  tended  to  improve  later  on. 

During  the  early  part  of  the  day  Jim  Cropper  had  an  excellent  outfield  run  with  Alf,  dropping  only  five  points  to  the  pen  but  as  with  all  but  three  morning  runs,  Alf  failed  to  complete  the  pen  and  finished  with  75  points  from  90.  This  score  left  too  much  room  at  the  top,  but  it  was  mid  afternoon  before  Timothy  Longton  and  Jake  came  to  the  post  with  run  number  48.  Jake  maintained  good  lines  throughout  and  after  having  two  points  deducted  from  his  outrun,  he  lost  just  a  further  two  points  for  minor  deviations.  With  a  perfect  return,  the  long  coated  mainly  black  Jake  brought  his  sheep  steadily  in  line  to  the  mouth  of  the  pen.  Were  others  lost  points  with  their  sheep  skittering  about  or  failing  to  pen  altogether,  with  Jake  in  the  ideal  position,  Timothy’s  hoggs  just  walked  calmly  in  for  a  faultless  pen.  This  left  Timothy  standing  well  clear  on  top  with  86  points. 

It  was  the  last  day  of  winter  and  with  the  sun  setting  over  Pendle,  March  was  going  out  as  meekly  as  the  proverbial  lamb.  It  was  run  number  71  when  Jim  Cropper  and  Sid  came  to  the  post.  After  a  clean  outrun,  Sid’s  sheep  stood  up  to  him  and  proved  difficult  to  lift,  losing  him  four  points.  Further  points  were  lost  for  deviations  and  they  finished  with  76  points  putting  them  in  second  place,  just  one  point  ahead  of  Jim’s  Alf.

Jake  is  just  two  years  old.  Bred,  reared  and  trained  at  Quernmore  he  has  just  completed  an  excellent  first  season  in  the  nurseries.  He  won  five  nursery  trials,  the  Holme  Society  championship  and  ended  the  season  on  the  highest  note  by  taking  the  individual  title  at  the  Pennine  Inter-club  Championship  just  a  fortnight  ago  This  was  Jake’s  first  open  victory  and  surely  he  can  only  improve  as  the  season  progresses.

Correction  to  last  week’s  report :  Vincent  Fox’s  Glen  was  sired  by  Timothy  Longton’s  Rob.

RESULTS

QUERNMORE  Open,  ( 82 ran ) :  1,  J. Burrows ( Silverdale ) Scott, 93 of 100;  (OLFD) 2, T. Longton (Quernmore) Vic, 93;  (OLF);  3, J. McRobert (Tweedsmuir) Spot, 93; 4, B. Skidmore ( Howes ) Meg,  92; 5, R. Handy (Settle) Jim, 92;  6, T. Huddleston (Caton) Ted, 91. 

BRIERCLIFFE  Charity  Open, Haggate ( 74 )   1. T. Longton (Quernmore) Jake, 86 of 90; 2. J. Cropper  (Deerplay) Sid, 76; 3. J. Cropper, Alf, 75; 4. A. Gilchrist (Llangollen) Nap, 74 (OLF) 5. R. Briggs (Wennington) Wenndale Jim, 74; 6. F. Satterthwaite (Brough) Jess, 73.

£405 raised for charity.

HAIGHTON  MANOR  Charity  Open, Haighton nr  Preston,  (79)  1. J. Cropper (Deerplay) Mac, 85 of   90;  2. J.McRobert (Tweedsmuir) Spot, 84;  3. T. Lawrenson (Brindle) Nell, 78 (OLF);  4. T. Brownrigg (Newbiggin) Ben, 78;  5. T. Huddleston (Caton) Udale  Spring, 77;  6. J. Cropper,  Sid, 76.

£252 raised to be donated to R.A.B.I.

24^th March 2003    Sheep Dog Results.

Phillip  Walton  of  Alston  judged  a  large  field  of  85  competitors  in  the  warm  spring  sunshine  at  the  Hutton  in  the  Forest  open  trial  near  Penrith  in  Cumbria  on  Saturday.  Conditions  for  running  were  excellent  on  the  mainly  flat  parkland  course.  Handlers  gathered  from  either  side  to  lift  their  packets  of  three  Swaledale  hoggs  at  a  distance  of  300  metres.  The  sheep  were  only  run  once  and  behaved  generally  well  throughout  the  day,  although  occasional  packets  did  try  to  break  away  if  put  under  undue  pressure.

The  standard  was  very  high  although  the  best  running  was  generally  in  the  morning.  Perhaps  the  sheep  became  a  little  unsettled  by  the  heat  during  the  afternoon.  The  cross  drive  of  200  metres  was  followed  by  a  long  return  to  the  pen  and  it  was  during  this  section  of  the  course  before  and  after  the  third  gate  that  the  trial  was  won  or  lost,  although  some  dogs  failed  to  cover  their  sheep  at  the  top  of  the  field  and  lost  points  early  on.  Generally  the  sheep  were  good  to  pen.

Vincent  Fox  and  Glen  had  an  early  morning  run,  coming  to  the  post  at  number  six.  Glen  was  sent  to  gather  from  the  left  and  after  a  clean  outrun  proceeded  to  maintain  a  good  line  through  the  fetch  and  drive  away.  A  big  black  and  white  medium  coated  dog,  Glen  likes  to  work  on  his  feet.  His  points  were  lost  for  deviations  on  the  second  half  of  the  long  cross  drive,  but  a  good  turn  at  the  gate  kept  him  on  course  for  a  clean  return  and  pen.  Vincent  and  Glen’s  score  of  81  points  took  them  to  the  top  where  they  remained  unsurpassed  to  the  end  of  the  long  day,  although  Steve  Thexton  and  Gyp  with  run  number  37  came  within  one  point  later  in  the  morning  finishing  on  80  points.

Glen  is  four  years  old  this  month.  Sired  by  Thomas  Longton’s  Rob  and  out  of  George  Smithson’s  Bess,  he  was  bought  at  nine  months  old  and  trained  on  by  his  master.  This  is  Glen’s  second  open  victory  having  won  at  Hodder  Valley  Show  last  summer.

Meanwhile,  the  Ernest  Brewer  memorial  nursery  and  novice  trial  was  held  on  the  Trawden  showfield  at  Trawden  near  Colne  in  Lancashire.  Here  too  the  weather  was  idyllic  with  handlers  and  spectators  enjoying  the  unseasonal  sunshine.

Running  was  on  fit  mule  hoggs,  which  generally  ran  well  although  some  packets  broke  towards  the  exhaust  gate  to  the  left  causing  considerable  trouble  to  the  unprepared  at  the  lift  and  during  the  first  half  of  the  fetch.  Most  handlers  sent  their  dogs  out  to  the  right,  where  the  going  was  easier  and  they  could  follow  a  wall  keeping  the  sheep  in  sight  throughout  the  outrun.  The  lift  was  tricky  as  the  sheep  were  put  out  at  the  top  of  a  rise  about  250  metres  from  the  post  and  the  dogs  were  out  of  sight  at  the  point  of  lift.  This  also  made  things  difficult  for  the  judge  Alison  Salisbury  of  Riddlesden.

During  the  morning,  John  Chamberlain  set  the  nursery  standard  with  his  eleven  month  old  dog  Roy.  After  a  good  start  Roy  was  showing  power  and  maturity  for  his  young  age,  but  allowed  his  sheep  to  slip  down  the  side  of  the  final  gate  and  finished  with  a  creditable  75  points.  A  number  of  competitors  spoiled  their  chances  at  the  final  obstacle at  the  end  of  a  long  undulating  cross  drive. 

Tom  Lawrenson  came  to  the  post  mid  afternoon  at  run  number  38  with  Clifton  Moll,  having  competed  during  the  morning  in  Cumbria.  Tom  has  been  almost  unstoppable  during  the  second  half  of  the  nursery  season  and  today  was  to  be  no  exception.  After  a  typically  steady  and  controlled  run,  Tom  and Moll  finished  with  a  total  of  78  points  from  90,  a  score  which  was  to  remain  unbeaten  and  earn  Tom  the  handsome  Ernest  Brewer  memorial  trophy.  A  very  determined  Carol  Mellin  came  to  the  post  for  the  penultimate  run  of  the  day  with  her  striking  and  sometimes  fiery  red  bitch  Bracken.  Her  sheep  like  many  in  the  afternoon  proved  difficult  to  keep  on  line  during  the  fetch.  It  was  here  that  the  decisive  points  were  lost,  but  Carol  and  Bracken  maintained  their  concentration  and  a  confident  finish  earned  them  76  points  and  second  place.

In  the  novice  section,  Lesley  Penswick  and  Val  with  run  number  20  led  the  field  during  the  morning  with  an  excellent  score  of  77  points  from  90.  However,  with  the  last  novice  run  of  the  day  at  number  41  Paul  Atkinson  and  Tess,  also  returning  from  Cumbria  beat  Lesley  and  Val’s  score by  one  point ,  taking  the  novice  title  with  78  points.  Tess  has  previously  gained  two  nursery  victories  during  the  season  and  took  fourth  place  in  her  first  open  outing  at  Colden  a  fortnight  ago.  

RESULTS:

HUTTON  IN  THE  FOREST  Open.  (85  ran):  1.  V.  Fox  ( Withgill )  Glen,  81  of  90 ;  2.  S.  Thexton ( Sedbergh ) Gyp,  80;  3. J. Cropper ( Deerplay ) Alf, 79;  4. R. McPherson (Heathersgill ) Vince, 78;  5. A. Temple (Holmrook ) Lassie 2;  77;  6.  C. Todd (Loweswater ) Rob, 76.

ERNEST  BREWER  MEMORIAL  Nursery  &  Novice,  Trawden,

Nursery ( 36 )  1.  T. Lawrenson (Brindle )  Clifton Moll,  78 of  90;  2. C. Mellin ( Oakworth ) Bracken; 76; 3. J. Chamberlain (Barnsley )  Roy, 75;  4.  T. Lawrenson,  Bess,  74;  5.  A. Kyme ( Lumb ) Max, 73;  6.  L. Bone  ( Holmfirth )  Jim, 72.

Novice ( 11 )  1.  P. Atkinson  ( Brindle )  Tess,  78 of  90;  2.  L. Penswick ( Gt. Eccleston )  Val, 77;  3.  C. Storey ( Delph )  Cap,  76.

NORTHERN  Open , Lambshield,  ( 66 )  1.  A. Leak ( Gaisgill )  Bess, 89 of  100;  2.  D. Scrimgeour (Lonscale)  Ben, 88;  3.  K. Preston ( Kirk Welpington )  Jim, 86;  4.  D. Scrimgeour , Lyn,  85;  5.  A.  Tait ( Morpeth )  Bob, 84;  6.  P. Turnbull  ( Rothbury )  Nap,  83. 

HEBDEN  BRIDGE  Open,  Colden: (58)   1.  J. Cropper  ( Deerplay )  Sid  92 of 100;  2.  G. Watts ( Silsden )  Buff  88;  3.  V. Fox (Withgill )  Roy, 87;  4.  S. Cropper  ( Deerplay )  Bob, 86;  5.  T. Smith (Colden)  Tommy, 84 olf

J. Atkinson (South Milford)  Bonnie, 84.

EAST  ANGLIAN  SHEEPDOG  SOCIETY  Nursery  &  Novice,  Tillingham.

Nursery.  (15)   1.  J. McBride (Grantham)  Prince,  65 of 90;  2.  C. Neal (Wormegay)  Heathgate Skipper,  64;                          

C. Neal,  Heathgate  Bonnie,  63;  4.  S. Little (Kerdistone)  Tess, 62;  5.  M. Jenkins (Shadwell)  Heathgate Hippie, 57;  6.  R. Little (Kerdistone)  Gwen, 55.

Novice: (8)  1.  R. Wilden (Little Wenham)  Sweep, 80 of 100;   2.  D. Jenkins (Shadwell)  Jet, 68;  3. C. Neal Samson, 65.

16^th March 2003    Sheep Dog Results.

On Saturday the five Pennine Societies; Meltham, Holme, Fylde, Yorkshire and Trawden, were represented by their seven most successful dogs this season, at the Inter-Club Championship.  In addition to competing for their team, the 35 entries were also vying for the prestigious individual title.  Charles Cutler of Easby, North Yorkshire, judged the running.

Fine, bright weather, a scenic setting at Twiston, near Clitheroe and a good standard of competitive work all amounted to a successful and enjoyable day for the competitors and the numerous spectators.  Over the sizeable rising course the running was on packets of four sheep, which had to be split after the pen.  Heat three and six worked the touchier Swaledales, while the other rounds worked Mules. 

It was the consistent good marks of the Meltham Society that won them the team trophy, for after pulling ahead in the second round they maintained the lead for the remainder of the trial.  The very last trial won the individual title, Timothy Longton and Jake.  A rough coated, tri-coloured dog, Jake’s work was excellent, steered to precision by his master.  Just four marks were deducted from his course work for minor deviations and finishing clean at the pen and shed, on 96 of 100 points he took a clear victory by four points. 

Bred by Timothy’s late father, Tim Longton, out of Gael, Jake’s sire is his master’s Rob.  Two-years-old last month he has been reared and trained on the family sheep and beef farm at Quernmore, North Lancashire.  Over the winter Jake has gained five nursery titles, one championship and taking this prestigious individual award on Saturday was certainly a fine conclusion to a successful season. 

RESULTS:

PENNINE INTER-CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP, Twiston, Team: 1, Meltham, 548 of 700; 2, Holme, 522; 3, Fylde, 491; 4, Yorkshire, 483; 5, Trawden, 481.

Individual (35): 1, Timothy Longton (Quernmore, F) Jake, 96 of 100; 2, J. Gill (Hoyland, M) Jim, 92; 3, J. Cropper (Deerplay, H) Dan, 91, OLF; 4, J. Palmer (Twiston, T) Shep, 91; 5, A. Baines (Tan Hill, Y) Jess, 90; 6, A. Kyme (Lumb, H) Max, 87.

Eric Halsall Memorial Trophy: J. Cropper Dan.

John Chapman Memorial Trophy: A. Baines Jess.

PARKS FARM Charity Nursery,  Howden, (18): 1, J. Atkinson (South Milford) Bonnie, 79 of 90; 2, J. Bell (Howden) Kate, 77; 3, M. Collin (Skeeby) Bill, 76; 4, J. Gautier (Withernsea) Whitethorne Dark, 75; 5, I. Murdoch (Sheriff Hutton) Floss, 74; 6, J. Bell Jess, 72.

Championship(6): 1, J. Atkinson Bonnie, 94 of 100; 2, I. Murdoch Floss, 90; 3, J. Gautier Whitethorne Dark, 89.

£90 raised for Cancer Research

BURMA STAR Charity Open, Glossop, (69): 1, T. Lawrenson (Brindle) Nell, 84 of 90; 2, J. Cropper (Deerplay) Sid, 83; 3, J. Harvey (Leek) Bill, 81; 4, J. Cropper Dan, 80; 5, R. Fielding (Todmorden) Vic, 80, OLF; 6, C. Pickford (Rainow) Rainow Lassie, 80.

£570 raised to be donated to the Tameside branch of the Burma Star Association.

MORETON, Nursery: 1, C. Turland (Daventry) Emma, 75 of 90; 2, C. Winterton (Barkby) Gem, 59; 3, S. Fulwood (Church Stretton) Annie, 56.

Novice: 1, T. Cashmore (Coventry) Nell, 74 of 100; 2, J. Attwell (Evesham) Scratch, 66; 3, C. House (Wolverhampton) Highgate Joe, 56.

Open: 1, C. Turland Rick, 84 of 100; 2, C. Turland Ben, 69; 3, R. Fowler (Chipperfield) Lil, 66.

11^th March 2003    Sheep Dog Results.

Despite the heavy rain and strong winds, James Gill and Jim worked well last Saturday to take both the trial and the championship title at Meltham. 

As the handlers stood at the post the wind was blowing directly into their faces and taking their commands away from the dogs.  In addition the noise from the adjacent M62 motorway made hearing even more difficult.  Consequently many of the 41 trial entries, judged by Brian Crawshaw of Healey, went wrong, particularly over the away drive.

After winning the trial by a single point Jim went on to have a clear lead in the championship of three contenders.  He had difficulty hearing approaching the first drive obstacle where three of his four Texel-cross hoggs missed passing through the gates.  Other than this his trial was good and finishing with just two marks dropped at the pen and a single point lost at the shed, his score of 81 gave him a clear lead.

Jim was bred in January 97 by R.D. Humphreys of Oswestry out of Nell and by Sam.  After losing a promising young dog in an accident, James bought him in January 2000 from Harry Hallam, for work.  Jim won his first trial in December 2000 at Meltham. He won there again last November and on Saturday enjoyed a double victory.

RESULTS:

MELTHAM, Lindley Moor, Nursery (41): 1, J. Gill (Hoyland) Jim, 84 of 90; 2, J. Cropper (Deerplay) Alf, 83, OLF; 3, T. Bell (Selby) Moss, 83; 4, R. Hodgkinson (Chinley) Jess, 78; 5, J. Cropper Dan, 77; 6, R. Airey (Trawden) Nell, 74.

Championship (3): 1, J. Gill Jim, 81 of 100; 2, A. Gilchrist (Llangollen) Nap, 73, 3, D. Broster (Lindley Moor) Cap, ret.

RYEDALE, Moorsholm, Nursery (13): 1, D. Bristow (Murton) Queen, 78 of 90; 2, M. Collin (Skeeby) Bill, 69; 3, I. Murdoch (Sheriff Hutton) Floss, 68; 4, J. Gautier (Withernsea) Whitethorne Dark, 67; 5, J. Barker (Pockley) Tony, 57; 6, J.B. Thompson (Glaisdale) Meg, 48.

Aggregate: 1, D. Bristow Wisp, 123: 2, I. Murdoch Floss, 105.

Championship (6): 1, I. Murdoch Nell, 165 of 200; 2, I. Murdoch Floss, 158; 3, D. Bristow Wisp, 135; 4, J. Gautier Whitethorne Dark, 128; 5, J. B. Thompson Meg, 114; 6, D. Bristow Queen, ret.

WINDERMERE, Thorpinsty, Nursery (24): 1, J. Palmer (Twiston) Shep, 85 of 90; 2, T. Huddleston (Caton) Udale Spring, 84; 3, P. Ellis (New Hutton) Cap, 83; 4, Timothy Longton (Quernmore) Jake, 82; 5, Thomas Longton (Quernmore) Mirk, 81; 6, H. Shacklady (Penwortham) Black, 80.

Championship (6): 1, P. Ellis Cap, 96 of 100; 2, T. Birkett (Carnforth) Jaff, 93; 3, J. Palmer Shep, 92; 4, Timothy Longton Jake, 88; 5, Thomas Longton Mirk, 87; 6, T. Lawrenson (Brindle) Clifton Moll, time.

NORTH WESTMORLAND, Hutton in the Forest, Sterling Cup (32): 1, T. Huddleston (Caton) Udale Spring, 72 of 80; 2, D. Goulding (Brigham) Queen, 68 TIME; 3, D. Goulding Wyn, 68; 4, D. Scrimgeour (Lonscale) Tan, 68; 5, R. Swainson (Cliburn) Bute, 67; 6, B. Dodd (Wythop) Mac, 64.

Athol Clark Cup for Nursery Championship: T. Huddleston Udale Spring.

Best Homebred Nursery Dog: T. Huddleston Udale Spring.

Johnny Nelson Cup: D. Scrimgeour Tan.

Nursery Aggregate: 1, C. Todd (Loweswater) Rap, 38; 2, T. Huddleston Udale Spring, 19.

Novice Aggregate: 1, E. Wills (Wythop) Roy, 24; 2, G. Smithson (Kirkbride) Mist 23.

GREYSTOKE Open (80): 1, J.W. Common (Lockerbie) Rap, 84, OLF; 2, A. Temple (Holmrook) Lassie 1, 84; 3, J. Fyall (Rochester) Tibbie, 83; 4, A. Mundell (Moffat) Jake, 81; 5, D. Scrimgeour (Lonscale) Midge, 80; 6, D. Scrimgeour Ben, 79.

4^th March 2003    Sheep Dog Results.

Tom Lawrenson took the Trawden championship on Saturday with Clifton Moll.  Aged nineteen he was the youngest and least experienced of the five qualifiers.  Nevertheless, he handled his bitch well and she took every command instantly. 

Athol Clark of Middleton, Cumbria, judged and commented on how good the running was in the final.  The packets of four Mule hoggs enabled a good standard of competitive work over the sizeable rising course.  Tom was drawn to go fourth.  He knew he had a high standard to beat and he did just that.  After being rather unfortunate in two previous championships, this was third time lucky.  His smooth coated bitch had a clean start, losing nothing until two points were deducted from the fetch.  For slight deviation three were lost from the driving.  Slight hesitation before the sheep went into the pen cost a single mark, but finishing clean resulted in a score of 94 of 100 points, one ahead of the runners up, Jim Cropper and Glen.

Tom was delighted to take the title, as was his father Peter who travels with him to the trials and is a constant source of help and encouragement.  He first started competing four years ago with Moss, an unregistered dog.  However, his first success came with Nell, but after badly breaking her leg she was laid up for some considerable time.  Therefore, he brought out Moll, a bitch he has reared and trained from a pup.  She was bred in June 2000 by Nancy Harrison of Clifton, out of Tudor Belle, a granddaughter of Wyn Edwards’ Bill.  Her sire is Edward Harrison’s Bill, also a grandson of Bill.  Although she was a little strong at the start of the season Moll quickly settled down.  She has won four nursery trials and on Saturday earned her first championship title.

RESULTS:

TRAWDEN, Twiston, Nursery (52 ran): 1, J. Cropper (Deerplay) Dan, 93 of 100; 2, J. Palmer (Twiston) Shep, 91; 3, J. Wood (Lindley Moor) Peg, 90; 4, J. Cropper Alf, 89; 5, Timothy Longton (Quernmore) Jake, 88, OLF; 6, A. Gilchrist (Llangollen) Nap, 88.

Championship (5): 1, T. Lawrenson (Brindle) Clifton Moll, 94 of 100; 2, J. Cropper Glen, 93; 3, J. Cropper Dan, 91; 4, Thomas Longton (Quernmore) Mirk, 86.

RYEDALE, Moorsholm, Nursery (20): 1, I. Murdoch (Sheriff Hutton) Floss, 77 of 90; 2, J. Gautier (Withernsea) Whitethorne Dark, 72; 3, D. Bristow (Murton) Wisp, 69; 4, M. Collin (Skeeby) Bill, 66; 5, D. Bristow Queen, 60; 6, I. Murdoch Nell, 58.

WIRSWALL, Novice, (46): 1, G. Jones (Penmachno) Nell, 71 of 75; 2, P. Williams (Treuddyyn) Jill, 70; 3, Elaine James (Wirswall) Rosie, 68, OLF; 4, G. Edwards (Llangollen) Non, 68; 5, P. Williams Dot, 67; 6, E. Jones (Bulchgwyn) Fly, 64.

NORTHERN Committee Trial, Nursery (25): 1, A. Baines (Tan Hill) Meg, 91 of 100; 2, A. Baines Tanhill Bill, 84; 3, T. Brownrigg (Newbiggin on Lune) Jay, 81; 4, J. Bousfield (Harwood in Teesdale) Sam, 74; 5, R. Hunter (Redmire) Mac, 72; 6, M. Collin (Skeeby) Bill, 70.

Open (24): 1, A. Hunter (Redmire) Ben, 94 of 100; 2, R. Hunter Mac, 86; 3, C. Rand (Cockfield) Jill, 78; 4, T. Brownrigg Ben, 76; 5, T. Brownrigg Jay, 73, OLF; 6, A. Baines Max, 73.

LOWESWATER, Open (52): 1, T. Huddleston (Caton) Udale Ted, 80 of 90; 2, P. Ellis (New Hutton) Jack, 79, TIME; 3, G. Smithson (Kirkbride) Mist, 79; 4, S. Thexton (Sedbergh) Spot, 78, TIME; 5, G. Marshall (Dumfrieshire) Rob, 78; 6, A. Temple (Holmrook) Lassie, 77.

Many thanks to Elaine Hill for providing the results.

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