Sonny Brindle 2 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 (edited) A very close heat which was finally decided right at the death. After a day of cloud and wind, by the time the heat got underway just after 10pm, the skies were clear and there wasn't a breath of wind. Not what you want when one of the competitors has driven 170 miles to run, but out of anyone's control unfortunately. As a result of the conditions, the rabbits were very thin on the ground, so we ran at four different venues over the three hours in a search to find better numbers. As well as poor conditions, things weren't helped by the number of foxes abut – they seemed to out number the rabbits in some places! The first field run normally holds good numbers, but last night the rabbits were either sitting on the holes or tight to the hedges. Consequently both competitors ended up slipping on rabbits they probably wouldn't bother with on a better night. First blood went to Farmer1's Bully as Blue got off to a slow start. A few more fields followed with no improvement so it was back to the car for a change of venue. The next field offered temporary hope as a little cloud and a slight breeze appeared for a few minutes, then disappeared as quickly as it came. By the time we'd walked the whole field the score was 4-2 to Farmer1, with both dogs hitting their stride. They were having to work really hard for their rabbits, with long slips, often close in to the hedges. Both dogs were looking determined and both pulled rabbits who looked home and dry from the hedge. Squatters were very thin on the ground, although one did an impressively acrobatic jump when he sensed Blue bearing down on him. On to venue three, where after a quick circuit, Blue pulled the score back to 4-3. And in field four, with 20 minutes on the clock as we arrived, he took two to overtake Bully with minutes to spare. There was still one last chance for Farmer1 to tie and enter sudden death , but unluckily his dog didn't see the rabbit and it finished 5-4 to Paid. A tally of nine rabbits from 11 runs each doesn't sound great, but both competitors can be proud of their dogs – it was a really difficult night and all the catches were very hard earned. Hats off to Farmer1 and his uncle Tony for making the long trip down. It's a real shame the sport wasn't better, but we had a good laugh and the heat was run in a good spirit. It was good to meet you, and hopefully we can all get together for some more sport on a better night. Edited September 18, 2009 by Sonny Brindle Quote Link to post
spannable 0 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 11 runs over 3 hours is pretty grim lads Quote Link to post
Smoking Toes 4 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 well done for taking part , thats what counts lads Quote Link to post
Sonny Brindle 2 Posted September 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 11 runs over 3 hours is pretty grim lads You can only run what's there mate. Fair play to them both for taking part. Quote Link to post
spannable 0 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 thats true hope you can get some better ground with more rabbits for the rest of the heats Quote Link to post
thebolt 4 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 well done to both of you sounds like a good sporting fair night was had an in my eyes that's all that counts Quote Link to post
Paid 935 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 (edited) The ground was good, the night was not, that's just the way it goes some nights spanner, do you lamp ? It's a real shame, as as host, you really want to put the rabbits in front of your guest. When your running your own ground, you can pick and choose the night, and go out when conditions are favorable, but when you set a date, you take the conditions your get. I would certainly of liked a few more runs, and apologize to Farmer 1 for the lack of rabbits, but it was out of my hands, and I hope he enjoyed his night all the same. I enjoyed the night, and the company, and he is welcome back any time, so hopefully later in the season after some colder weather he will pop back for another night. Edited September 18, 2009 by Paid Quote Link to post
miss lurcher bitch 319 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 well done to both of you its the takeing part that counts atb mlb Quote Link to post
stealthy1 3,964 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Well done Paid Hard luck Farmer1 Quote Link to post
chartpolski 28,402 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Well done to both lads; congrats to Paid ! Hard lines F1, hope to have a craic with you when I come down to Mallys for my heat with the Bolt. Cheers. Quote Link to post
Flynn 314 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 well Your Pic says it all for me. sportsmanship!!!, well done you 2, Grats Paid , unlucky Farmer1 Quote Link to post
farmer 1 0 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Hi all just like to say thanks to all the lads involved ,had a good night out and met some sound lads . Hard look about the weather, and rabbit numbers ,but when a dates set that's it ,its got be done .Looking forward to hopefully coming down for a weekend hunting again, and you lads are more than welcome up here . With another season under my dogs collar, I hope to have another go at the comp next year. Despite a 340 miles round trip and 12 hours out, so Paid and Blue watch this space lol. Atb Paid on you next heat mate, and a big thank you to LDR for putting it together cheers , farmer1. Quote Link to post
rabitin girl 16 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Well done to you both , and congratulations to Paid Quote Link to post
FUJI 17,729 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Good sportsmanship all around,imo there were no losers,friendships made so everyones a winner are they not? All the best PP. Quote Link to post
scent 509 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 well done lads its the taking part that counts ,and at least yee can now put faces to names Quote Link to post
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