A TREMENDOUS catalogued entry of 198 sheep was the largest for many years at this long established sale.

Although trade was selective a selling rate of some 83% was achieved, with strong demand for the best quality sheep. The sale topper was the 1st prize ewe lamb and overall Champion judged in the morning by Mr John Sherratt of Shropshire. The lamb was bred by leading North Wales Flockmaster Myfyr Evans in his Rhaeadr Flock and was sired by Rookery Best of the Best. She sold at 1150gns to Breconshire Breeders, Mike Davies and Sons, to join their Safaddan Flock. Myfyr Evans sold other ewe lambs to 500gns to C Love, Yeovil, and 450gns to TJ Griffiths, Kidwelly.

The Reserve Championship awarded by John Sherratt went to the 1st prize Shearling ewe which was shown by Mike Davies and Sons, Brecon. The homebred ewe was by Conveth Cobra and out of a Meikleson Impression ewe, she sold at 650gns to R Richards, Craswall, Hereford, who also took the next in this pen at 440gns.

The 1st prize Flock Ewe came from RF Holmes, Exeter, this was a 2013 born daughter of Limestone To-Tal, in-lamb to Solwaybank Rooster, which sold at 400gns to D Stephens, Holsworthy.

Messrs TC and CA Hardley, Bentley sold to a top of 460gns for a 2013 born ewe by Llangeview Discovery, in-lamb to Pexhill Coalition, taken by EI Davies, Llanddeusant, Carms. Mike Davies and Sons maintained their strong trade with others at 420gns, 410gns and 400gns. A strong team from GM Owen, Anglesey saw a peak of 520gns for a shearling ewe by Glenhead Titanium and in-lamb to Conveth Cobra, she was taken by D Thomas, Llandeilo. Next best at 500gns was a 2013 ewe by Tir Untrimmed, in-lamb to Dol llys Django and purchased by D Nelmes, Dorset.

Ewe lambs from the Morris Flock peaked at 360gns for a smart daughter of Conveth Cobra. Messrs Hallam and Eggleston, Seagrave sold shearlings to 350gns, purchased by Messrs Littlehales, Shropshire.

WH Sinnett and Son, Stockton showed a powerful pen selling to a top of 580gns for a Stockton Percy T sired 2013 born ewe, in-lamb to Frongoy Welsh Champion which was taken by D Nelmes. John Sinnett sold another three ewes at 500gns apiece, with a ewe lamb by Rhaeadr Mad Man at 420gns which was taken by Paul Fletcher and Family, Kidderminster. KR Thomas, Stone, sold the 2nd prize Shearling Ewe at 310gns to local breeders SJ and CA Walford, Cardiff.

Prices: 52 flock ewes, max 580 gns, average £294; 67 shearling ewes, max 650 gns, average £245.03; 23 ewe lambs, max 1150 gns, average £326.18.

Prizewinners: Class 1 - Flock Ewe 1st Rob Holmes (Lot 163) 2nd Gary Owen (Lot 70) 3rd Mike Davies and Sons (Lot 58).

Class 2 - Shearling Ewe 1st Mike Davies and Sons (Lot 66), 2nd KR Thomas (Lot 187), 3rd Hallam and Eggleston (Lot 124).

Class 3 - Ewe Lamb 1st Myfyr Evans (Lot 146), 2nd Myfyr Evans (Lot 147), 3rd Jack Pryce (Lot 113).

Champion - Myfyr Evans (Lot 146). Reserve champion - Mike Davies and Sons (Lot 66).