COTSWOLD Flyball Club enjoyed a storming weekend recently as both the Whirlwinds and Cyclones took victories at Barbury Castle.

The Cotswold club’s teams were back in action at Barbury after a break and began their preparations for the upcoming National Championships in August with two magnificent wins.

The Whirlwinds, making their debut as a team based on new fast dogs blended with experienced dogs, went straight into Division Four and set the league on fire with four great match wins to take a competitive division in great style. The blend of Belle and Rosie with the experienced Poppi and Milo proved too much for several very experienced teams.

The Cyclones, in a good class Division Three, had a dramatic day which started with a final run from regular dog Flynn in the first match to signal his retirement due to a medical condition.

The newly reshaped team of Rocky, Dexter, Scrumpy and Tammi then got down to business, going into their last match needing a win to take what looked like second place. They were leading 2-1 when, in the fourth leg, Scrumpy and Dexter had a bone shuddering collision that left the latter dazed and unable to continue. This lead to a dash to the car park to bring Flynn from retirement for the last two legs, with the team only needing one. The rejigged line-up proved to be successful with Flynn, in the anchor role, running a perfect leg to take the match 3-1.

Then, in the very last match of the division, hosts and neighbours Bassett Dynamites turned over the so far undefeated Berkshire Bandits to set up a three-way tie. However, the Cyclones took the title on countback to fastest times.

The Zephyrs and Typhoons met in a very closely run Division Five where the head-to-head clash proved to be a highlight. The Typhoons, with Dylan, Reuben, Rhona and Cerys, went two legs up only to see the Zephyrs of Lexi, Mist, Boo, Woody and Mr Rocky switch their dogs around and take a titanic clash 3-2.

The Zephyrs, spurred on by this, completed the division in an excellent second place while the Typhoons, who lost the services of Reuben for the afternoon session and forfeited their last two matches, slippingto fifth with two wins.

The Sundowners took fourth in Division Seven with a spirited performance from Kelly, Moss, Fergus, Bailey and Mopp, who combined to produce several good runs.

Dexter has recovered from the effects of his collision and will be back in action at Mapledurham.