Petersfield - Sunday 10th November- (Report by Anne Alderman)

We had a late start - 12 noon! It was a luxury!

Racing got under way with Div 2. Allsorts (Molly, Bazil, Eddie, Badger & Breeze) were seeded 5 out of 6, so we knew we would have a battle on our hands! First we were up against TVR. All the dogs ran extremely well. Molly's starts were excellent (so were Dave's!) and the following dogs, all had good passes. So much so, they gave BA a new record of 19.59 (previous best, 19.86 by 4 collies over 14") Well done to them all. Unfortunately, though, we did not manage to beat TVR, and lost 3-0. Next on, Bad Dog Meecos. Again, they had us on speed, but we did manage to win a leg, when they got a light. We lost 3-1.

Div 1 and Hotdogs (Spencer, Abby, Monty & Barley). First up, Bristol Ball-istics, who in their first race, seemed to have problems, but we managed to beat them on speed. We won 3-0, with our best time of the day (unusual in the first race!) 18.64. Next, we were up against Bad Dog Racers, and no chance here unless they made a mistake. And that they did! We went to 2-2, but they kept their cool, and beat us 3-2.

Back to Div 2, and we were up against the Dorset Dynamos. We could have, perhaps, had a go at winning this race, but we tried a little to hard, and kept getting lights. (I think it must be the first time ever in our racing that we have had N/T on the score sheet!). So onto Melton Striders. Breeze was brought in for this one, to give Molly a rest, and time to calm down. Racing was very close, but we couldn't quite make it, and lost 3-0. And finally, the Wolf Pack. Again, we had a chance against these. We had some very close racing, but again pushed a little too hard, and lost 3-1. So we came 6th over all, but we did have some good racing.

And finally back to Div 1. We were up against two teams, the Buccaneers and K9'ers, both of whom we have and can beat on time. Firstly, the Buccs. Luckily the 3 collies were able to give Barley a good lead, as she was having awful fumbles with the ball. Racing went to 2-2. We had to hope and pray Barley wouldn't fumble. She raced up, triggered the box, the ball flew out, straight past her. I held my breath (and I presume Claire probably did, although by the noise, I'm not so sure!), to see Barley turn on the box, and as the ball bounced slightly off centre to the jump, she somehow caught it whilst still running, and continued unhindered! It was amazing to see! And we just managed to win. And so finally, the K9'ers. This time, Barley was thinking about the box. Still the collies were giving her a bit of a lead, as this time, she was slowing right up to 'climb' the box and take the ball gently. It worked, as she didn't fumble, but the results showed in our times (slower). So we managed another win. Over all we came 2nd in Div 1. Brilliant!

I watched the times in the first two races for both BH & BA. Anyone who wants to challenge Dave on his starts, will have to put it some work! Start times averaged between 0.00 - 0.08 (Yes, he did manage one perfect one!). We had one slow one 0.1, and a twiddle from Molly gave her 0.74! So I don't think we're losing too much time there! On the whole, the passes are as near spot on, as you can judge by eye. Below are some examples of the split times the dogs were gaining.

Although not confirmed, and if they didn't get their titles last time out, they will definitely have got them now, Breeze FDa, and Abby Gold Award (15,000 points). So big congratulations to Abby. Two 'big ones' this year! Another first for BA and Abby!