Bassett Jelly Babies were seeded 5th in Division 4, with Eddie, Molly, Meggie, Angel and Ben. The setup at Whitewater had changed since the tournament earlier in the year to accommodate the neighboring houses (a complaint from which had occurred after this years earlier tournament). The Flyball ring and camping were now set the other side of the field (far away from the houses). This resulted in us running on slightly rougher ground however the Buccaneers had done a lot of preparation and the lanes were setup to give the dogs the smoother part within the racing lanes. We also had another set of lights we had to get used to!
Race 3 Red Lane v Aardvark Barkers (All dogs) Unfortunately the opposition failed to appear as they had withdrawn their team on the day. Still it gave the team a chance to practice on the new lights and boy they needed it, with the amount of false starts and early changes we were making. Fastest leg 21.82 secs
Race 6 Blue Lane v Ballbusters (Eddie, Molly, Meggie and Angel) Ballbusters were the top seed of the division an had already set a low 20 second time in their first race. As we were running in Eddies "bad lane" it was decided to run Eddie first, with Molly, Meggie and Angel behind. However Molly seemed to struggle though in the second spot, we did push them to 5 legs though eventually losing 3-2. Best time 30.16 secs.
We then had a long rest with a lunch break and the second half of Division 3 running before our second set of races
Race 9 Blue Lane v Wolfpack (Eddie, Molly, Meggie and Ben) As we were again in Eddies "bad lane" we ran Eddie first again. We did manage to get the first leg with the opposition getting a flag somewhere along the run. Then things started going wrong. Molly was starting to lose the plot running second, and was starting to fumble on the box and run round the jumps, and with the other dogs having early changes we lost the next two legs leaving us 2-1 down. We then went into the next leg, Molly did a twiddle right on the Start finish line and was not going down the flyball lane so we manage to get her out the way and continue through the order, with Molly running as 5th dog. We managed to get Molly down the lane as 5th dog before the opposition could resend a dog they had a fault on, so we managed to bring the score back to 2-2. Unfortunately we lost the last leg so the final standing was a loss of 3-2. Fastest time 21.89 secs
Race 11 Red Lane v Maple Leaf Rockies (Eddie, Meggie, Angel, Ben) With Molly looking tired she was rested out in this leg. The times being posted by the Rockies were well in advance of the times we were posting so we struggled in these legs losing 3-0. Fastest time 25.72 secs.
Race 13 Blue v Aces High (Molly, Meggie, Eddie, Angel) With Aces High the 6th seeded team we really needed to win this. Even though we were on Eddies bad side we decided to let Molly run in her favourite position (first dog) with Meggie, Eddie and Angel following. Molly looked a lot happier running first and luckily the stagger in racing was sufficient enough so that the oppositions dog was not on the box to distract Eddie and he ran some perfect legs. In fact the whole team ran without fault in these legs winning 3-0. Fastest time 23.89 seconds.
It had been a tough days racing much down to our own mistakes (mine included!) rather than just being out powered by the opposition. However we did finish just out of the rosettes in 4th place. Thanks go down to the Buccaneers for providing a nice and easily accessible venue for the weekends racing.
Sunday saw the turn of Allsorts. We only had the 4 dogs - Beano, Ollie, Tosh & Beau. We were seed 6 in a Div of 7 teams, so plenty of racing ahead. And the weather was bright & breezy, just right for flyball (especially with the stream so close, for the dogs to cool off!)
Race 1 Allsorts 'v' Molton Muzzles - We didn't get off to a very good start, with both Ollie & Beano getting flags. At 2-0 down, we got a race back, but lost the 4th, best time 21.11.
Race 2 Allsorts 'v' Bad Dogs on the Run - With the dogs settled, and handlers concentrating, we put in some good racing, and beat the opposition 3-1. Best time 19.79
Race 3 Allsorts 'v' Maple Leaf Raggers - Again some good racing, but luck not with us. Lost 3-1, best time 19.53.
Race 4 Allsorts 'v' Bristol Ball-istics - Having had a rest the dogs had a renewed vigour. Ball-istics took the first race, and we inched back on the second, and third. Then Beano got a light, making it 2-2. It was all down to the last race, and another light lost it for us. Best time 19.44.
Race 5 Allsorts 'v' Barkshire Bullets - On paper, this was one race we could win……………with Beano's light's in the previous race, and Ollie looking like he was tiring due to false starts, we swapped those two around. And it looked like it was working, we went 2-0. I think Beano then had a fumble/ogle at the box, and we narrowly lost. Ollie then had a fumble, missing a jump, and on his re run, he kept running around the jumps. So we lost that one making it 2-2. Somehow we kept our heads, and put in a good run, so winning the race. Best time 19.41.
Race 6 - Allsorts 'v' Trying 4 Mutts - We decided to keep Beano first. Ollie voiced his opinion on that! But ran perfectly. We won 3-0, best time 20.02 All in all, a good days racing, although a little fraught at times! We must thank our box loader, Derek (and Nigel who helped out in the first race!), he done an excellent job! Ollie gained his FDa, so well done to him & Rachel. Tosh & Beano also gained their FDg's. So well done to them.