The Derwent Valley Federation beat the weather yesterday to fit in their race from Appleton.
It proved a good decision, too, as the birds had their first real test of the season but came through it well.
One seasoned Derwent Valley fancier said: “It was exactly what they needed. Although there were gaps at the home end between the flocks, and the birds were split up, they kept coming and returns were very good.
“It will have done them good under the circumstances because they haven’t really had to think in the races so far.”
With today forecast to be a wash-out the DVF took the decision on Wednesday to race on Friday and the birds will now be ready to step-up to Stafford next week-end.
Harrington Central was won by Neil Semple with a chequer hen that was bred off one of his own paired to a hen he bought at the Workington Victoria Breeder Buyer sale which had been bred by Nelson and Crellin of Flimby. She actually scored twice herself.
The West Cumberland Federation, who have already raced from Appleton last week-end, made their decision to race on Sunday.
But clearly the weather for Appleton in particular is poor tomorrow and officials will now mark the birds on Sunday night for a race on Monday, when the forecast appears to be very good.
DERWENT VALLEY
WORKINGTON SOCIAL LIMIT (6 sent 253): 1, Williams and Hadfield 1633.8; 2, 4, G. Best 1633.6,1625; 3, McLuckie bros 1631; 5, 6, Mr and Mrs Walters and son 1605, 1576.
WORKINGTON VICTORIA (9 sent 547): 1, Evans and Abraham 1653.8; 2, Williams and Hadfield 1653.2; 3, McLuckie bros 1650; 4, Mr and. Mrs Walters and son 1623; 5, 6, Varty, son and grandson 1610.6, 1610.4.
HARRINGTON CENTRAL (9 sent 342): 1, N. Semple 1636; 2, J. Devlin 1633; 3, Telford and Pooley 1626; 4, 5, I. and D. Wood 1615, 1577; 6, N. and G. Wordsworth 1575.
SEATON RBL (3 sent 86): 1,2,5, Mr and Mrs Dustin 1586, 1585, 1499; 3,4,6, Dobie and Palmer 1575, 1504, 1497.
FLIMBY HS (8 sent 388): 1, 2, 6,Rushforth and Hunter 1661, 1660, 1653; 3,4, 5, Tinnion and Aitken 1656.4, 1656.2, 1655.
