Robert Ellis and Mirk win traditional South Wales season opener

A mound above the fetch gates put the sheep and the dog momentarily out of sight on the fetch and both drive gates, placed on the edges of the mound, gave the Breconshire hoggs the chance at the end of the cross-drive to escape downhill.

Despite this, fair runs were possible over the 220 metre (250-yards) outrun and 275 metre (300 yards) of driving. When pressure was exerted at the pen the sheep showed their determination and only more determined handler/dog combinations succeeded.

Robert Ellis repeated his Pembrokeshire success by narrowly beating Jed Watson to top spot. Following a clean outrun and lift, Robert lost four points on the fetch, six on his drives and five at the pen, while Jed lost two on his lift, four on the fetch, and 10 on his drives, having missed the gates on the cross-drive. His sheep, however, walked straight into the pen.

Llanddeusant

Handlers from all over Wales gathered to support the two-day trial hosted by Nigel Watkins in Mid-Wales, where the sheep, mostly Brecknock Cheviots with the occasional Beulah Speckleface, would not take pressure from over-keen dogs. Again there was no shed, but the cleverly arranged course made up for it.

Following a 275 metre (300-yard) fetch, the sheep were turned into the away-drive in front of the handler, the cross-drive ran away from the handler, which meant the return was longer. The pen had no back to it to facilitate easier penning.

In the two Saturday sessions, Jed Watson repeated his success at Ystradfellte and gained a second place here, while Charlie Short again won the afternoon session.

On the Sunday, Alistair Gilchrist, Llangollen, won the morning session, while Pennant Williams, having won in Bodfari the previous day, was also in the honours.

Paul Tomkins followed his second place on Friday at Bodfari by gaining third place with Dick Montgomery achieving two second places. Sheila Lewis and Angie Driscoll were consistent, both gaining two places, while Aerwen Price was timed out at the pen, otherwise she would have been placed, but the lady handler who impressed all was 10-year-old Elin Hope.

At Bodfari, Aled Owen gained three places over the two days, but Jim and Shirley Cropper travelled the furthest of all from Bacup, Lancashire, to be in the prizes.

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