Working dogs show their style
YANGAN sheep dog handler Geoff Gibson had the highest score of the Australians in round 1 of the Trans-Tasman Challenge at the Warwick Showgrounds on Saturday with Charlies Dusty.
After scoring 78.5 on Saturday, he said immediately after his round on Sunday it wouldn't score as well.
"I had a bit of a rough round but penned the sheep with 10 seconds left," Mr Gibson said.
"If you are outside the allowed time of 15 minutes, it costs you 20 points."
That 10 seconds was the difference between the Australians winning the Wayleggo Cup or letting it head back across the Tasman.
Mr Gibson was second on course on Sunday and scored 67.75, 13.25 ahead of the second New Zealand combination which put Australia in the overall lead after the host country trailed by nine points after round 1.
New Zealand team member Murray Child has been in three cup-winning teams.
He had the highest score from either team in both rounds, 80 on Saturday with Dice and 90.5 on Sunday.
"The sheep weren't too bad, we want them to be consistent," Mr Child said.
"Our courses are different to Australia, we often use steep hills to trial."
Australian captain Malcolm Taylor admitted his team made mistakes in round 1.
"We learnt a bit out of Saturday, there is tension competing for your country," he said. The state championships are on this week at the Allora Showgrounds until Sunday.
Results
- Encourage 1 Liff Parr and Aquagold Bonny 176, 2 Brett Smith and Cooks Nell 162, 3 Brett Smith and Blues Bindy 152. Novice 1 Brendan Bange and Brenkris Gale 190, 2 Pip Hudson and MGH Rod 185, 3 Paul Elliott and Princes Mosse 180.
- Improver 1 Paul Darmody and Wynella Phoebie 168, 2 Jim Luce and Daheim Tom 164, 3 Bill Trembath and Daheim Snowman 163. Open 1 Greg Prince and Berryden Biggles 275, 2 Greg Campbell and Akoonah Jypsy 260.5, 3 Jim Luce and Daheim Tom 259.5, equal 4 Jim O'Connell and Camara Queen and Malcolm Taylor and Somerville Nell 256.
- Interstate challenge 1 Tasmania Malcolm Taylor and Mocara Ed 183.5, Bernard McGlashen and Mocara Ice 224.5, 408 total; 2 NSW Paul Darmody and Sheena 153, Greg Prince and Princes Di 242.25, 395.25; 3 WA Ivan Solomon and Perangery Sasha 198.5, Peter Gormon and Badginjarra Nel 143.75, 342.25.
- Wayleggo Cup: Round 1 Australia (Malcolm Taylor/dog Mocara Ed, Geoff Gibson/Charlies Dusty, Stefan Cross/Glenview Connie, Jim O'Connell/Camara Atom) 285.5, New Zealand (Bruce Parkinson/Brook, Andy Clark/Lady, Murray Child/Dice, Eric Stringer/Matt) 294.5, round 2 Australia 298.5, New Zealand 271.5; overall Australia 584, New Zealand 566.
