Best in match, LH Dachshund puppy Darsoms Zuave at Merrygarth,
runner up Labrador Honbury Cuddley Dudley, with judge Terry Thorn.

SALLY WYATT, the Honorary Secretary of the Wivelscombe Ringcraft Club, was again the organiser of the South West Supermatch held in the salubrious surroundings of the clubhouse of the Bridgwater and Albion Rugby Football Club, and what a smashing event this turned out to be. Over 170 dog fanciers took their seats for the splendid five course dinner and full marks go to the caterers and their team for producing such an excellent spread.

The competition is restricted to 14 canine societies and ringcraft clubs who, from their yearly competitions and own finals, each send forward one adult dog and one puppy to this, the grand final. Competition was good and I was honoured to be the judge of this seventh such event. Past judges include Ferelith Somerfield, the late Harry Jordan, and Frank Kane, and all have sung the praises of the organisation and format of the evening.

My puppy winner was the super red Longhaired Dachshund Darsoms Zuave at Merrygarth, owned by Mesdames Cooper and Steadman with the lovely Boxer Jobaran Almost Amber owned by Mesdames Powell and Bowman as runner up. Top adult was the black Labrador Honbury Cuddley Dudley owned by Mesdames Adams and Walsh with the Lhasa Apso Quaymore Eloise owned by the Allens runner up.

In the run off for best in match the Dachshund puppy put in a faultless performance to take the top spot, in the process amassing £60 in prize money, plus a lovely cup and special prizes from the two sponsors of the event, Skinners Complete Dog Foods and James Wellbeloved. The Labrador was runner up and he too took home some good prize money out of the fantastic total of £170 that had been donated and this plus more dog food from the two sponsors.

The Dachshund was there as a representative of Newton Abbot and South Devon CS, the Labrador came from Honiton DCS, the Boxer from Exonian CA and the Lhasa from Bridgwater DCS, so it was a resounding success for Devon on the evening.

My thanks go to Rodney Wyatt, Wendy Cullen and Tim Lewis as chief steward and assistants, also to Susan Cottrell who made a grand job with the commentary and to the president Arthur Fisher who looked after my every need.

This is an annual event that is now firmly established in the show calendar and is well supported from the many clubs in both Somerset and Devon. Long may it go on!

Terry Thorn