Big match

[clayflint 31]

Went lamping after the pub quiz last night, Me and my cousin decided to have a little match big money on... a whole £5 to the victor basically take it iturns till you miss. We had my beddygrey x whippetgrey - Luda and my cousins kelpie,whippet,beddy - Bella.

My girlfriend came last night only her 2'nd time out and she loved it. We saw red stags up fairly close, fox, badger, hare, rabbit, partridge and either snipe or woodcock not sure. We were going for rabbits but first field saw a few hares milling at the far end, cousins didn't want a shot but I thought what the heck a long retrieve would be good to get my dogs legs a little stretch so bang and off he went for the retrieve, 1 nil. Across the road and into the first field, Bella up now and after a few turns op and down some cover she nailed it in the cover (very good bitch around cover always follows in and nearly always comes out with the goods).1-1. Luda up next good run of the beam put in a few good strikes taking himself down on one but got back up and onto it again up and down a wall a few times then bang, 2-1. Bella again this time a squatter which she's not had many of and she over ran it a little but straight back onto it again a good strike but missed quickly back onto it up and down the wall again and taken just as the rabbit got onto a gap in the wall, 2-2. at this point the GF is grinning ear to ear, she's not only seen deer fairly close for the first time but just seen 2 runs very close as she was staying by the wall with the dog that wasn't running as my and my cousin walked out to the rabbits, he did the lamping i did the slipping. She was concerned that shed not let the dog on the lead get the rabbit as it ran right by her but we told that was exactly right. My dogs turn again this time a long slip, could have walked up to it but i know my dog runs the beam well and i like to see him do it, again few good strikes and bang on the run 3-2. I keep mentioning the strikes because the last few weeks he's not been putting many in and seemed to have lost that drive and gameness, i just think he was unfit and the more i run him the better he gets. Anyway walked the rest of the land and just saw a badger so im thinking ive won, but my cousin has other ideas off to the next spot. Long slip for his little dog and this rabbit was off like a rocket she eventually got on terms with it near some reeds we heard the squeal and thought she's done it and my cousin even said he saw her heading back with it in her mouth but flicking the beam back on she didn't have it, he looked in the reeds but couldn't see anything so unfortunately I WON . Same field my turn and this time my dog got straight lined and rabbit away, unlucky for my cousin comp was already over. Next rabbit was on some heathery lumpy ground my dog over the barb wire fence and off, stupidly we decided as the night was ending to drop my cousins dog in as well to get an extra run and well my dog had a big tumble the the two dogs semi collided they got back on terms with the rabbit but it got through the fence, my dog jumped and lightly caught the fence, checked him and he's cut both legs so straight on the lead and looks like hell be out for a week more likely two. :[. Completely blame ourselves for running doubled up, we have learnt and wont be doing that again. Quick reccy round these fields and Bella picked another after a good run with plenty of turns. Back to the car, 4 rabbits for Bella with 2 misses and 3 rabbits and a retrieved hare for Luda with 2 misses. Cleaned him up last night and off to the vets later just for a check don't think there big enough for stitches but you never know he's very sore today. Mixed evening but very enjoyable until the end. Brilliant crack throughout though.

Adam

[old real tree 92]

Sounds like you had a bit of fun, seems like there is plenty of hame i'n your area lol.

[noble1 34]

sounds like a good crack nice write up lad

[david mc 1]

good write up enjoyed reading it good crack