The last of the big traditional Bluefaced Leicester sales saw a steady trade, without ever setting afire. Buyers were once again after strong, well made sheep and being selective where they spent their money.

At the end of the day though, it was a hat trick for Jack Lawson, Hundith, as he topped the trade again, following on from Hawes and Penrith. Again, this smart lamb was by the Y1 Midlock, purchased for £8500 2 years ago, and proving a great investment for the Lawson's. The lamb is full brother to a shearling which has been used successfully at the Highberries, and sold for 2800gns in a two way split to James Porter, Riddings, and Cecil Hutchinson, Redhill. Jack also sold another Midlock sired lamb for 2400gns to Phillip and Shelia Sutcliffe, Craghill, and finished with an average of £2350 for his four lambs forward.

It was a day to remember for young breeders Scott Thomason and Claire Hayton from Walney Island when their A3 Piel View sold for 2600gns, the second highest price of the day. It was by a Middle Dukesfield sire and out of a ewe by T3 Barlaes, whilst its grandmother won the supreme Interbreed champion at this years Westmorland show. It was the highest price so far from this flock which boasts a total of only 12 ewes, but have been doing exceptionally well on the show circuit too. Taking this long clean tup home was M/s GP & D Williams, Colwynn Bay, who was reinvesting some of the 17,000gns he had made earlier in the season at Builth.

The champion ram of the day, as judged by David Abberley came from the Kirkby Redgate pen. He missed the cut in the initial selection in the show ring, but caught the judge's eye when he ran his eye over them again and slowly inched his way to the top of the line, pipping Riddings to second place. Harry Gass from Nunscleugh stumped up the readies for him in a 2400gns sale. This leggy lamb was by the Y25 Hewgill which has been getting some outstanding lambs for the Hutchinson 's at Redgate.

The first shearling into the ring Z4 Kilnstown, was the highlight in that section as he raced away to 2400gns. Sold by Kilnstown Farm Ltd, Bewcastle, who had a great run of mule lambs at Carlisle this backend and taken home by Ellis Bros, Cragg House Farm.

The champion of the day crowned a long wait for Anne little, the Close, who has been selling here since 1976, and always harboured the ambition to win the championship. The flock has several blue and white tickets to show for over the years, but not the red and white. After taking the female championship, the referee judge, John Townson, had to stand in and award the championship over the Redgate lamb to the Closes 4 shear ewe, which went on to sell for 750gns to Victor Kitson, Castlederg.

Top price female was a gimmer shearling from Sophie Harding, when her res female champion by W3 Plas -y-ward Elite + sold for 1500gns to Ms T Reaich, Wrens Park .

Res Champion female from Sophie Harding - 1500gns

Supreme Champion - A Little, The Close, sold for 750gns