As we enter the final week of the hound trailing season, the fight for the championship titles are coming down to the wire.

In the seniors Miterdale Shadow has a one-win advantage over Huntsman’s Nimrod and in the puppy stakes this is turning into a battle with long-time leader Young Harry on nine wins and current leader Cracking Last One taking her 10th win at the weekend with seven trails remaining.

Other points titles are up for grabs: in the Senior Maidens Foxparke Parma Violet is on 16, Overwater Marvin 14, Blue Bolt and Blue Blaze 13, two trails left; Puppy maidens Thorn Rose 19, Insane 8, Meadow Misty 7, Huntsman’s Prince 7, two trails left. Open Maiden’s Oakbank Izzy 40, Foxparke Parma Violet 27, Kinniside Dan, Kinniside Jacko 24, four trails left. Open Non Winners Thorn Rose 12, Foxparke Just Got It 12, Foxparke Parma Violet 9, Imagine 9, Foxparke Jog On 9, Foxparke LOL 9, two trails left.

Team Cracking are on a roll as in the last week they have had two doubles in the seniors and pups at Dearham and Millstone Moor giving them at least five doubles this season.

Tuesday saw the final of the Dearham series where the first of the week’s doubles came for Bill and Pat Mellon and Robert and Tina Airey as Cracking Last One strode home ahead of Alan Blacklock’s Babycham and Bill Birkett’s General James. Team Cracking obtained the double as Cracking Last One Two beat in Keith Lynch and Darren McMaster’s Wait and See and Robyn Ellie and Grace’s Foxparke Jog On.

The open restricted trail gave points leader Show Biz an easy win for Andy Horn with Brian and Erin Rowlandson and Joe Fearon’s Blue Bolt in second and Tanya Hetherington’s In The Red third. The first points title has been confirmed as Andy Horn’s Show Biz with one trail remaining and 16 points clear of his nearest rival.

Keswick Area held their first meeting of the season on Wednesday at Latrigg. Denise Bland’s Championship challenge moved a step closer as Huntsman’s Nimrod took the spoils ahead of kennelmate Huntsman’s Novice with Denis Pear’s Hawkswood third. Brian Graham and Julie Burkinshaw’s championship contender Young Harry took the win ahead of Denise’s Jenny’s Quest and Emily Irving’s Overwater Louis.

The highly competitive open maidens saw Stephen Irving’s Zola beat in David Hogg and John Graham’s Jubilee with Peter Green’s Superstar third. Martin and Molly Burrow and Joanna Satterthwaite saw Thorn Fire and Thorn Dancer overhaul Paul Airey’s Meadow Josie. Thorn Fire has been confirmed as points title winner in the Veteran Grade with two trails remaining, 32 points ahead of kennelmate Thorn Dancer.

Thursday saw a return to Kirkland where Jonty and Evie Moore’s Crazy took the spoils ahead of Brian, Erin and Joe’s Blue Blaze and Debbie, Lana, Christine and John McGee’s Apache. The puppy trail saw Bill, Pat, Robert and Tina’s Cracking Last One Two beat in James and Ava McClellan’s Miss Ava with Robyn Ellie and Grace’s Foxparke Jog On in third. The Open Maidens saw a one-two-three for Team Foxparke as Foxparke Golden Balls stormed home to beat Foxparke Just Got It and Foxparke Shakalakaboomboom.

Saturday saw a return to Millstone Moore with a second double of the week as Cracking Last One held off Caroline Graham and Denis Hunter’s Flame with Alan’s Babycham in third.

The puppy trail saw a great battle as Miss Ava came from fifth place to narrowly get beaten on the line, giving Bill, Pat, Robert and Tina the double as Cracking Last One Two held off the strong challenge of Miss Ava, with Keith and Darren’s Wait and See in third. Duncan, Amy, Oliver and Eleanor’s charge O’l Blue Eyes finished strongly to beat Martin, Molly and Joanna’s Thorn Rose on the line with Brian and Joy Lister’s Imagine in third. In the veterans Martin, Molly and Joanna’s Thorn Fire strode to an easy victory ahead of Paul Airey’s Meadow Josie with Thorn Dancer in third.

Sunday saw a trip to Windermere and Dubbs Lane where Denise’s championship battle took a step closer as Huntsman’s Nimrod beat in kennel mate Jenny’s Oracle with James and Ava’s Mine in third. In the maidens Stephen’s Zola continued the winning streak as Zola beat in Jim Batty’s Ladybird with Brian, Erin and Joe’s Blue Bolt in third.

The pups saw Denise get the double up as Jenny’s Quest beat in Les and Pat Black’s Canny Style with Brian and Julie’s Young Harry in third. Joy was had by Team Foxparke as their charges Foxparke Jog On and Huntsman’s Prince finished first and third with Jenny Horn’s Spring Music in third. The Open Restricted saw Victor and Christine Brownlee’s Marlou beat in Stanley and Carole Jackson’s Lady Grace with Martin, Molly and Joanna’s Thorn Dancer in third.