There is a well known saying, 'no pain, no gain' and that will be ringing true in the minds of Milk Link’s 1,600 producers, who are on the brink of reaping just reward for 12 years of loyalty and investment.Kevin and Mirk's Llandefalle Open
THERE was a rare appearance by Richard Millichap, the 2009 supreme champion, at Llandefalle, Brecon, where the trial was well supported, being central to all parts of Wales.
He gained third and fifth places in the morning session, but lost four points at the pen, putting him out of contention.
The field rose gently, giving an outrun of 350 yards.
The yearling ewes, which could be approached from either side, were visible to the handler and the judge, but the dogs went out of sight before covering their packet of three sheep.
The fetch gates were positioned before a line of large trees, which caused no problems, while the turn was around both the handler and the pen, and the drives, totalling 350 yards, were to the left in the morning and to the right in the afternoon.
Penning problems
There was no shed, with the sheep brought straight to the pen where they gave most handlers problems.
Kevin Evans again stamped his authority on the trial, with Mirk, losing two points on the outrun, two on the fetch, three- and-a-half on the drives, beating Gwynfor Thomas, who had problems at the lift and the single.
Beryl Lewis showed pace was all important in the afternoon, losing two points at the lift, only two on the drives and one each at the pen and single.
Stan Harden lost one more on the lift, five on the fetch, two more on each of the drive and pen, but secured a clean single.
Much later in the day, Nigel Watkins’ young Jody responded to every command, exerting the right amount of pressure needed, losing just a half-point more and taking third place.
Welsh results
LLANDEFALLE, Perthyduon, Session 1 (Judge, G. Powell, Gladestry, 45 ran) Open, 1, K. Evans (Libanus) Mirk, points lost 7.5; 2, G. Thomas (Llanelli) Roy, 12; 3, R. Millichap (Port Talbot) Jen, 14; 4, V. Morris (Clun) Patch, 16; 5, R. Millichap, Tweed, 17; 6, A. Driscoll (Llanllowddog) Kinloch Sioux, 18. Novice, 1, V. Morris, Patch, 16; 2, V. Morris, Mac, 24; 3, P. Dobbs (Llanddeusant) Toby, 26. Ladies prize, A. Driscoll, Kinloch Sioux, 18. Session 2 (N. Price, Llandefalle, 45 ran) Open, 1, B. Lewis (Llandrindod Wells) Floss, 6; 2, S. Harden (Pembroke) Jet, 15; 3, N. Watkins (Llanddeusant) Jody, 15.5; 4, K. Harley (Glasbury on Wye) Tim, 18; 5, S. Lewis (Llanelli) Nell, 20; 6, I. Jones (Erwood) Jess, 23. Novice, 1, S. Harden, Jet, 15; 2, R. Davies (Lampeter) Dell, 27 OLF; 3, C. Ridge (Narberth) Jess, 27.
BETWS YN RHOS, Coed Coch, Dolwen (G. Williams) Open, 1, M.Ll. Evans (Llanfachreth) Shep, 6; 2, A. Davies (Bryneglwys) Moel Floss, 7; 3, B. Davies (Bryneglwys) Tam, 8; 4, A. Williams (Penmachno) Nim, 11; 5=, D. Mackay (Carmel) Scott, and A. Williams, Eryri Jim, 14. Second Class, 1, A. Von Dinther, Fly, 19; 2, D. Davies (Porthmadog) Wolf, 20; 3=, A.Ll. Owen (Penygroes) Soe, and Dylan Jones (Trefriw) Twm 22; 5, E. Griffith (Waunfawr) Craig, 23.
LLANRWST, Fferm Llwyn Richard, Carmel (E. Williams) Open, 1, A.Ll. Jones (Bala) Bet, 4.5; 2, E.W. Edwards (Ruthin) Lyn, 5; 3, G. Owen (Llanerchymedd) Lyn, 6; 4, A. Williams (Penmachno) Eryri Jim, 6.5; 5, M.Ll. Evans (Llanfachreth) Shep, 7; 6, M.Ll. Evans, Jan, 9. Second Class, 1, E.W. Edwards, Lyn, 5; 2, G. Edwards (Llantysilio) Meg, 11; 3, D. Davies (Porthmadog) Wolf, 12; 4, David Williams, Tim, 16; 5, G. Lightfoot (Llandegla) Mari, 17.
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