Both sides of the alley called a truce long enough to celebrate Orla's birthday. There was cake and ice cream and plenty to drink (including, some say, gasoline - yuk). There was such merriment, Acastofmany even brought along his pet flea "Herman" (who we were to find out later was fully certified and registered and specially trained to attack DOGS). The party rolled along nicely and guests frolicked in the alley while others enjoyed the goodies that had been laid out on the receiving dock. There was mention of sending for relatives to come over and provide some music for a dance, but an argument broke out over who should be asked - Cat Stevens or Three Dog Night. Finally someone suggested they all be asked and that's when IT happened. I think it was the big DOG himself who said something like "one of the CATS should be sent to ask them because the DOGS were better at training than CATS". One of the CATS spat back something about the excessive need for training of DOGS followed by something about a "pooper scooper". Naturally, a DOG made a comment about litterboxes and the fur started to fly. "Get out the scratching pole" cried LittleSwan. This became the battle cry of the CATS. Dottie_s, who was only there for the party called out "Beware the ides of CATS". Oh well, we tried for peace for the party, but DOGS will be DOGS and CATS will be CATS, so off we went again.

Today was neck and neck all the way. With 13 tables, we were watching the DOGS hold off the surge of the CATS. Kennel_HA2 (any body want to guess who that really is?) barked out the first bite to the DOGS and they held a narrow lead at the end of the first round 7-6. Results for round 2 looked like they would have the same results when suddenly Dogseveraftercats (Happily this name is not too long) fell off the garbage can. You will never believe the sneaky thing the CATS did then. They arranged somehow to send in Feldenkitty as a sub. A CAT subbing for a DOG - go figure. Not to point any fingers or anything, but for some unknown reason, the CATS won the round 7-6. We were now tied going into the third and final round. This is the Big round. The round where winners are matched against winners. Where the undefeated pairs from both sides square off against each other. Each pair in the alley faces a pair with a similar record for the day. Now we get down to the biggie. The other two rounds showed us who was hot and who was not. Now we play for the thing that really counts - bragging rights. Win one here and you score 2 points for your team.

The score was tied 14-14 going into the round. First, the CATS led, then the DOGS, then it looked like the CATS had it in the bag. 26 - 22 CATS with 2 tables out. The DOGS win and close to 26-24 with one table to go. Nonny/Theholyguy for the CATS Vs Billsgirl/Alanbolt for the DOGS. Both teams undefeated for the day. Who would come out the winner? As the dust cleared, and the watchers backed away, we could see both pairs lying on the ground. Suddenly, a paw stirred and the faint words of Billsgirl could be heard - "We won". We had, for the first time in Ryder history, a TIE. Not just a tie for the round, but a tie for the whole thing. Both teams went home battered, but not beaten. Both teams can carry their banner proudly through the next week. Final score 26 - 26. A fitting end to a Happy Birthday.

Thanks to this weeks Super-Subs - Borderline; Feldenkitty; Rueful Rabbit

Slams were bid and made by: Purple (sub Debb26)/Xbrorsen (2 of them including 6HX); Srogoy/Yadenwise (6DX)

Perfect 3-0 tournaments were played by: Srogoy/Yadenwise; Billsgirl/Alanbolt; Colin Thecorgi/Softfire; Doghugo/Kennel; Litedove/Sadie

The CATS were: Golfnldy/Acastofmany; Poppeye/Imdj1; Jin/Francylou; Apache/Littleswan; Donkiwi/Clear Blue; Harle/Galeb; Purple (sub Debb26)/Xbrorsen; Meggiebaby/Sippin Whisky; Bearafm/Shmilyone; Mcme 2/Pom 2; Alanmitchell/Rebekkha; Nonny/Theholyguy; Srogoy/Yadenwise

The DOGS were: Steveburdette/Mudg; Pob/Orla; Billsgirl/Alanbolt; Macmarine/Loraine; Reneemo/Kssswenson; Litedove/Sadie (sub Rueful Rabbit); Doghugo/Kennel; Cmk/Fantom; Jean/Dutchie; Doggotu/Poochie Galore; Colin Thecorgi/Softfire; Zuktort/Wyatt; Doggy/Dogseveraftercats