The 2 teams were racing on different days, and as the chilly & dark nights have arrived, no one was brave enough to camp! So Hotdogs went on Saturday, left the box & (clean & dry!!) balls for Allsorts on Sunday. This meant Hotdogs were short on help, with only 4 handlers going up, and 5 dogs between us. So Tina kindly offered Andy's help to be our box loader!! So thanks to Tina for the offer, and thanks Andy for coming and standing in the rain, to box load for us. It was very much appreciated.
So Saturday - Hotdogs - Tosh, Molly & Spencer were joined by Tess & Merlin who was Katies temporary replacement. The usual Spencer arrangements were made! (Whoever weren't running their own dogs, runs & tries to catch Spencer!)
Having expected to be in Div 1, it was a lovely surprise to be seed 1 in Div 2, with just 0.6 separating the 6 teams, and all teams to whom we have won & lost. So we just had to try to be consistent……….
First up, we were against Barkshire Bandidos (who seemed to have lots of dogs with them, but not many handlers, and a dodgy box!). I think they were simply slower than us today, & Merlin, Tess, Spencer & Molly beat them on speed every time. Best time 19.49
Next up, Daventry Bumbles - Merlin, Tosh, Spencer & Molly. I think Tosh & I were asleep in the first race, as Spencer had a huge flyer. We all had a minor panic as to where we should be letting Spencer go from, and once I had got my act together with Tosh, we were back on form, and although racing was extremely tight, we just pulled through with a 3-2 win, best time 18.83
Race 3, Molton Meteors - Tosh, Tess, Spencer & Molly, and a change of lane. Tess fumbled the ball in practice, and ran round the jumps despite the wings, and once racing she did the same again. Dave & Vicki said she had no intentions of jumping, so Merlin was brought straight back in (much to Katy's relief, who was running Spencer!!). And we went on to win 3-1, best time 18.88
We then had a long gap, while Div 1 took place. By 1pm the rain had started, and although we were sheltering under the gazebo, John managed to get soaked to the skin! The remainder of us got dripped on. After completion of Div 3, they moved the lanes, and we finally got underway in the rain about 3.30pm.
It is now our luck usually runs out! Dave has usually said how well we are doing, and it all goes pair shaped - and yes, he opened his mouth yet again!!!
Race 4, Gofours - Merlin, Tosh, Tess & Spencer. For some reason Merlin turned before the box and came back………….We then inched one back 1-1, then a light form us 2-1 down, then we inched another back 2-2, but Dave noticed that the oppositions last dog was faster than Spencer on the home run…………….so we pulled Molly in…………..and it worked! She flew back, just taking the leg. Poor John on the side lines could hadly watch, it was so close! Best time 19.18
And finally, Bristol Ballistics - Merlin, Tosh, Tess & Molly. Merlin was finding the ground quite slippery & had started to take care, Tess was just sliding into the box, and I've no idea what Tosh & Molly were like. But although it was close racing, we actually had them on speed, and won 3-0, best time 19.68.
So we finished the season on a high (sorry Elaine!!). 1st place in Div 2, best time 18.83. Merlin coped brilliantly (or should I say Katy!), and Tess managed to change lanes in the afternoon. And Molly………..she was a good girl all day!!!!!!!
And so onto Allsorts on Sunday. Ollie, Beano (who replaced Merlin), Beau, Alfie, Meg & Molly (Border Terrier).
The first race of the Div had got underway, and finished with out us realising it, so we ended being rushed in for our first race. Marilyn had gone to change leads, and wasn't back in time to race, so Meg was pulled in. So Molly, Beano, Beau & Meg, lost the first leg. Molly was then pulled out, and Ollie in, and won the next leg. Unfortunately a double false start & box problems (Beano's box!) meant we lost the last 2 legs, but achieved a best time of 19.25.
Race 2 - Ollie, Beano, Molly & Alfie, won the first leg, so kept Molly in. Claire told Dennis to get Molly excited, and in the process got too excited and let her slip, doing a pass between jump 2 & 3. Molly was pulled out for Beau, and we went on to win, best time 19.9?
Race 3 - Ollie, Molly, Beau & Meg - Molly ran round the jumps on the way back, so Beano was brought in. Wendy dropped a ball after Ollie had run, and Beano & Beau ignored it, but Meg didn't know which one to pick up. She finally got the correct ball, but ran round the jumps. Luckily the opposition also had a light, and Pete managed to run Meg again, to win the leg. Best time 19.83.
Race 4 - Ollie, Beano, Alfie & Molly - racing against no one! Won! Best time 22.53
Race 5 - Molly, Beano, Beau & Meg - Molly was replaced by Ollie, after running out in the practice, as she had seen Dennis by the box. Went on to win, best time 19.51
All the dogs raced really well, and we came 2nd in Div 4., best time 19.25. So another good finish to the season.