With no Ollie, both teams were running over 14", and both teams coped well with no spare dogs.
Allsorts were first up in Div 4, seeded 5th. With the same team as January, Beau, Alfie, Spencer, and Katie taking Merlin's place as lead dog, I had hoped they would have some good racing.
Race 1: Allsorts 'v' Barkshire Bandidos - Went to 5 legs, as the opposition made a few mistakes. But they were on top form in what was also their first race (they seemed to slow down later in the day!), and we lost 3-2, best time 21.11
Race 2: Allsorts 'v' Wolf Pack - A straight forward win. The dogs suddenly looking much happier and racing well. Won 4-1, best time 21.06
Race 3: Allsorts 'v' Bad Dog Frustration - Another straight forward win. Beau fumbled the box, but did manage to return over the jumps, so won 4-1, best time 21.36
Race 4: Allsorts 'v' Wire Springs - Both Katie & Alfie seemed to be fumbling the ball in this race, but the box was moving. Chris also held passes on Alfie as he had slowed down, and that reflected in the times. Lost 4-1, best time 22.61
Race 5: Allsorts 'v' Nuneaton Kestrels - It appeared we could push starts on the red lane, so Katie moved up (and didn't get a light). The box appeared not to move as much, but Chris still held the passes, and Alfie's speed improved again. The automatic timing somehow managed to record a new world record time for us on the first race - 10.24 Yeah right! Luckily we had clearly won, so didn't have to re-run. Went on to win 4-1, best time 22.67.
So had a good day racing. We were 3rd in Div 4, best time 21.06.
Hotdogs - Tosh, Tess, Molly & Meg
Race 1: Hotdogs 'v' Molten Meteors - A close race, but lost lost 4-1, best time 19.94
Race 2: Hotdogs 'v' Wire Sparks - Had this team on speed, won 4-1, best time 19.79
Race 3: Hotdogs 'v' Break Aways - Tosh fumbled ball, and judge called in 'Out of Bounds', but we weren't given a light, as there seemed to be some confusion, but the team time stood as it was. Tosh then returned slow in the next race, so Tess had a light. And in trying to push for a win, Molly then got a light1 So lost 3-0, best time 25.90
Race 4: Hotdogs 'v' Barkshire. Bullets - This was going to be another close race, so passes had to be pushed. Unfortunately we tried a little to hard, and got 2 lights. Lost 4-1, best time 19.81
Race 5: Hotdogs 'v' Bad Dog Meecos - Won the first 2 races. Then a light. Only just lost the next by a whisker, and the final race, I drew breath when I should have released Tosh, so a slightly late start, which I think lost us the race, as it was so close again. Lost 3-2, best time 20.35
So we managed 5th in Div 2, best time 19.79. All in all though, we had a good days racing. I think all the dogs were tired by the end of the day, but they all raced their hearts out!!