A couple of invaders from Poverty Bay with younger dogs on the way up swooped on the heading class spoils at the Petane sheep dog trials.
Bob Bryson won the long head with Brad, while Don Avenell won the short head and yard with McCaw, both dogs entering the Friday and Saturday trials as intermediates.
Avenell also produced the winning maiden in the short head and yard with Jess, a name departing from the usual practice the Patutahi farmer has of naming his dogs after All Blacks or other leaders.
The eldest of his team is Troy, which was fifth in the long head run-off for Avenell's partner, Janice Fraser.
Troy's named after Troy Flavell, last an All Black in 2008, and there's also Daniel and Mils, and Bill.
But Jess: "Well she's a bitch, you see, so I couldn't name her after an All Black. I think the grand-kids named that one."
Micheal McMillan, the manager of Te Tiki Station, north of Wairoa, was also in on the action in the hunts, scoring his first open hunt win with Coil, also an intermediate.
Kieran Young produced his second winning dog of the season as Storm captured the zig zag, Young having won a straight hunt with Tahi at Wakoau last month.
The day ended with the Aerospread Top Huntaway contest finely-balanced, the lead shared by Mark Loye's Troop, Quentin Hunter's Emma and Gary McDonald's Beth, all on 14pts, with several others also still in the running.
Rocky Hawkins' third placing with Ted in the short head and yard took the pair to 19pts in the Merial Ancare heading dog competition, equal with Dave Wallace and Blue, and just a point clear put the pair of Tom Manson's Glen.
It sets a firm stage for the next trials at Olrig tomorrow and Saturday.
Results of the Petane sheep dog trials on March 16-17:
Long head: Bob Bryson, Brad, 94pts, 1; James Turner, Lad, 93.75pts, 2; Bob Bruce, Skip, 93.5pts, 3; Paul Robinson, Libby, 92.5pts, 4; Janice Fraser, Troy, 92pts. Intermediate: Bob Bryson, Brad. Maiden: Bart Sheetham, Spin.
Short head and yard: Don Avenell, McCaw, 97pts, 1; Kevin O'Connor, Yo, 96.5pts, 2; Rocky Hawkins, Ted, 96pts, 3; Rex Berkahn, Roy, 95.5pts, 4; Sam Bunny, Sky, 94.75pts, 5. Intermediate: Don Avenell, McCaw. Maiden: Don Avenell, Jess.
Zig zag hunt: Kieran Young, Storm, 98.5pts, 1; Jerry Berry, Sting, 98pts, 2; Mark Loye, Troop, 97.5pts, 3; Craig Wiggins, Charge, 97.25pts, 4; Bob Bruce, Plod, 97pts, 5. Intermediate and Maiden: Jerry Berry, Sting.
Straight hunt: Micheal McMillan, Coil, 97pts, 2; Tom Manson, Gus, 96.5pts, 2; Sam Bunny, Boss, 96pts, 3; Micheal McMillan, Base, 95.5pts, 4; B Thomas, Clyde, 95pts, 5. Intermediate: Micheal McMillan, Coil. Maiden: Micheal McMillan, Base.