DESPITE a good covering of snow, the trials scheduled between Christmas and the New Year went ahead as planned.

On Friday, the Fylde Society held an open trial at Hesketh Bank, raising £180 for charity.

Robin Dean, of Chipping, judged the entry of 47 dogs.

Over the flat national-sized course the running was on Texel and Mule fattening hoggs.

Unless the dogs took firm control, the sheep could be wilful and a good number of runs failed to complete the course in the allocated time of nine minutes.

Running at number 28, just after the sheep had been taken back, Michael Longton gained the highest score of the day with Moss.

A rough-coated, tri-coloured dog, Moss had exceptional outfield work.

After a clean outrun and lift, he lost just six points over the extensive course for line deviations.

Although four points went at the pen, along with half of his shedding points, his score of 85 of 100 was sufficient to win the day, one mark clear of Nick Bennett with his homebred Beechwood Ben.

Moss was bred by Michael's grandfather, Tim Longton, out of Gael.

His sire is Rob, owned by Michael's father, Timothy Longton.

Just turned four-years-old, he was reared and trained by Timothy, who ran him in the nursery classes.

However, Moss works equally well for Michael, who has trailed him successfully in the opens.

At Lonscale, near Keswick, the Windermere Society held a nursery trial on Saturday.

Paul Howe, of Biggar, judged the entry of 26 dogs.

The Swaledale fattening hoggs required firm but gentle handling over the extensive course, that sloped gently downhill.

Running early at number three, Thomas Longton gained a high score with Jim.

Going left-handed, Jim gathered his sheep well, despite them being difficult to see as they were standing in the snow and in the shadow of some trees.

At a steady and flowing pace he worked them around the course, catching all three obstacles well.

Apart from slight zigzagging when the hoggs were reluctant to go down the cross-drive, Jim's lines were good.

Finishing with a clean pen the tri-coloured dog earned 83 points to take the title.

RESULTS

FYLDE, Hesketh Bank Charity Open: 1 Michael Longton (Quernmore) Moss, 85 of 100; 2 Nick Bennett (Tarlton) Beechwood Ben, 84, OLF; 3 Vincent Fox (Withgill) Roy, 84; 4 Richard Briggs (Wennington) Wenndale Jim, 83, OLF; 5 Thomas Longton (Quernmore) Kep, 83, 6 Thomas Longton Lad, 80.

£180 raised for Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

WINDERMERE, Lonscale, Nursery: 1 Thomas Longton (Quernmore) Jim, 83 of 90; 2 Chris Todd (Loweswater) Pete, 82, OLF; 3 Derek Scrimgeour (Lonscale) Dot, 82; 4 Derek Scrimgeour Flake, 81 1/2; 5 Stuart Walton (Kendal) Bella, 75; 6 Alf Kyme (Lumb) Pat, 72 1/2.

WENNINGTON, Nursery: 1 Bob Clarkson (Embsay) Liz, 75 of 90; 2 Jim Cropper (Deerplay) Mac, 72, time; 3 Alan Leak (Gaisgill) Tom, 72; 4 Alf Kyme (Lumb) Sam, 71; 5 James Dewhurst (Long Preston) Dan, 70; 6 Albert Mellin (Oakworth) Spike, 68.

DIARY - January 6.

NORTH WESTMORLAND, Nursery & Novice, Beckside, enter on field.

NORTHERN, Nursery, Widdalside, Hawes, 10am start, enter on field before 2pm.

WINDERMERE, Nursery, change of venue to High House, Winster, 10am start, enter on field before 3pm - trial scheduled at Greystoke postponed until a later date.