Once again demand saw averages jump for Bluefaced Leicester females at Hawes, following the trend set at Carlisle earlier in the week. Averages were up by £360 on the year at the centre which prides itself on being the crossing capital of the breed. There was a great crowd, with buyers attending from all parts of the country, all trying to buy into some exciting bloodlines on offer.

Topping the day's trade was an exceptional gimmer hogg, with power and confirmation in abundance, out of the best ewe in the Smearcett flock of W A & A Booth. Judged champion by the judge Dennis Lumley earlier in the day, it went on to receive some serious attention from potential buyers. It is an embryo daughter of the £11,500 Hundith tup out of a M1 Star Green ewe. 7 embryos were produced, and the Booths offered 2 at the sale, retaining 5 gimmers for themselves from the same flush. Once again it was Robert Wallace from Macherquhat, Girvan finishing strongest, landing her for £4000 to join the Redgate gimmer hogg he bought at Carlisle for £5000, and the third prize hogg he bought from Redgate for £1200.

Messrs Lord, Hewgill, followed up a good day at Carlisle with another great show of sheep, which over the years have proved themselves second to none in the crossing circles. Again it was the Z14 Hewgill that was doing the business. The gimmer hogg is out of the full sister to Z40 Hewgill tup which has been doing well. It sold to local breeder Gerry Shields from Tarn House, Ravenstonedale for £2800. The Z14 Hewgill was also behind the breeding of the second prize hogg which sold for £1400 to Colin Lowis, out of a K1 Lunesdale ewe. They also sold a shearling by V45 Hewgill out of AR1 Lunedale ewe for £1600.

Neil Marston from the Highberries flock topped the ewe trade with a gimmer shearling by the X1 Snab Green and carrying twins to Z4 Hundith, a successful cross at last years tup sales for Neil. This gimmer hogg, which goes back to a Bull & Cave ewe when restocking after FMD, was bought by & G Jackson & Son, Anchor Farm for £2500.

Other leading prices and results; Forward 37 Sheep Overall average £1061.11 (up £360 on 2009). Gimmer Hoggs to £4000 Av £1164. Gimmer Shearlings to £2500 Av £965. Ewes to £1800 Av £950.

Gimmer Hoggs - 1st & Overall Champion - W A & A Booth £4000 to R Wallace. 2nd - M/s Lord £1,400 to C Lowis. 3rd - W M Hutchinson & Son £1200 to R Wallace.

Ewes and Gimmer Shearlings - 1st & Reserve Champion - A Caton £500 to E Bullman. 2nd - M/s Lord £1600 to WM Hutchinson & Son. 3rd - W M Hutchinson & Son £1800 to RJ & K Tiplady.

Leading Prices: Gimmer Hoggs - W A & A Booth, £4000, £1600. M/s Lord, £2800, £1400. N C Marston, £1800, £1050. W M Hutchinson & Son, £1200. T Willoughby, £1000. Gimmer Shearlings - N C Marston, £2500. M/s Lord, £1600, £1300. C Wood, £1000. Ewes - G P Taylor & Sons, £1800, £1200. J Nelson & Son, £1000.