Dog trials: Northland series in full swing

Andy Ross with Pip on their way to finishing runner-up in the short head & yard at the Bay of Islands Sheep Dog Trials. It was their third consecutive runner-up spot at the event. Photo / Supplied

Ex-pat Leo Jecentho returned to the Far North to take out the long head event at the Bay of Islands Sheep Dog Trial event on Mt Ahu Ahu in the Mid North over the weekend, with his dog Scott.

Other winners on Saturday included Dave Andrews and Dick in the Short Head and Yard with 91.5 pointed effort, while Jecentho also claimed a third placing with Tess finishing third with a 90-point run, closely behind runners-up Andy Ross and Pip with 91 points.

Scott McRae and Toby took out the zig zag hunt with a 97.5 effort, with Murray Child and Frank runner-up with 95.5; Neville Child and Simon won the straight hunt albeit with a 96.75 effort, only 0.25 points ahead of brother Murray with Frank.

The event was hosted by the Bay of Islands Sheep Dog Trial Club on Friday and Saturday, February 2 and 3. Thanks as always went to the event sponsors and the property owners, as well as the Lewis family for the use of the sheep.

See Thursday's Age for a report from proceedings along with a full set of results.

HELENSVILLE: The Bay of Islands event was the second leg of the Northland series, the first took place at Helensville the previous week, Friday and Saturday, January 27 and 28. Results were as follows, full names given where advised.

Event 1, Long head (judge Roger Jordan): Pete Campbell with Cash 93.5 points (1st), Andy Ross with Pip 93, Neville Child with Rod 90, Ken Whittaker with Sam 89.5; 1st Intermediate: Alan Nisbet with Pat 87, 1st Maiden: A Nisbet with Glen 82.5 (5th).

Event 2, Short head and yard (Steven Osborne): John Nelley and Joy 93, Any Ross and Pip 91.5, Alan Nisbet and Pat 86, Scott McRae and Cory 85, Eddie McCarthy and Poppy 82; 1st Intermediate: A Nisbet and Pat 86, 1st Maiden: F Jochems and Mate 75.5.

Event 3, Zig Zag hunt (Scott Hussey): Maurice Yearbury and Harry 96.75, Scott McRae and Toby 96, K O'Shea and Tui 95.5, A McLiver and Pel 95.25, Grant West and Swag 95; 1st Intermediate: K O'Shea and Tui 95.5, 1st Maiden: A McLiver and Pel 95.25.

Event 4, Straight Hunt (Scott Hussey): Owen Finlayson and Tony 97, Scott McRae and Toby 96, A McLiver and Pel 95.5, Maurice Yearbury and Ace 95.25, M Yearbury and Rust 95; 1st Intermediate and Maiden: A McLiver and Pel 95.5.

UPCOMING: The third leg of the series will take place at Mangakahia this Friday and Saturday. The other eight legs making up the 2018 series are at Omamari, February 17-18; Mt Manaia, February 23-25; Otamatea, March 17-18; Hobson County, March 23-24; Broadwood, April 6-7, Maungakaramea, April 14-15; Molesworth April 20-21; and, Mangonui (at Rangiputa), April 27 and 28.