Matt Robertson got to use a rare phrase Friday night at the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds, and because the Augusta cowboy and his partner Justin Viles of Cody, Wyo., were ";almost perfect," the pair were able to take the lead in the 49th annual Last Chance Stampede PRCA Rodeo's team roping event.

Robertson and Viles posted a quick time of 5.3 seconds in the rodeo's second go-round, edging in front of the Ed Hawley and Terry Doka's time of 5.7 from the night before.

";It was one of the most perfect runs I've ever had," said Robertson, 27. ";It was a great calf, and we got a good start. I got a good head loop, and Justin roped the heck out of him, he had a real short, tight line."

He said that it's not uncommon for team ropers to press a little during competition, but that the tandem stayed calm during their run.

";We didn't go crazy. It was the kind of run you do in practice, almost perfect, and we don't get to say that very often," Robertson said with a smile.

Robertson, who has competed in eight straight Last Chance Stampedes since turning pro at 18, considers this rodeo a hometown affair.

";This is where I won my very first belt buckle, riding steers when I was 11 years old," he said. ";This is a great rodeo and a great arena. The whole Fairgrounds is phenomenal. I love this place."

Prior to the pro competition was the pre-rodeo, with the highlight being the Trent Wolstein Memorial Steer Riding contest, which was won by Lawrence Lesofski, with a ride of 71.

The first event was the bareback, with Randy VandenBos of Valier posting the best score, at 73 points. However, this is far below the 86 put up by Ryan Gray on Thursday.

Next came the steer wrestling. Cascade's Mike Gollahar was the quickest to the ";mat," with a time of 3.8 seconds.

Former Capital High and Montana Western standout Shawn Downing -- now hailing from Silver Star -- was second, clocking a 4.3.

Colter Heckman of Choteau rode to a 59 in the saddle bronc, which is well behind Ramos Benny's leading mark of 77.

In the tie-down roping, Billings' Ryan Siemsen took the lead, registering a 9.7, to move ahead of fellow Magic City cowboy Delon Parker's 10.1.

Laura McPherson of Wolf Point captured the ladies barrel racing, in 17.73, which places her second behind Theresa Walter's first go-round mark of 17.71. Helena's Chloe Hoovestal is third, at 17.82, while Lindsay Knaff of East Helena/Winston is holding down fourth place, with a 17.85.

Shelley Murphy, Helena's national NFR qualifier last year, is close behind at 17.89 after completing her ride during Thursday's late slack.

The top bull rider on the evening was Justin Bailey of Custer, who rode to a 78. But Cole Burman still leads, with an 84.

The rodeo resumes tonight at 7:30.

Curt Synness: 449-2150 or curt52s@bresnan.net