Despite an extra 70 sheep to sell, a good crowd of buyers and strong demand for pedigree Bluefaced Leicesters ensured overall averages fell only slightly on the year at the association sale at Ballymena, last weekend, where prices peaked at 7000gns.

Selling at this price was a cracking April-born ram lamb from Joe Adams and Sons' Holmview flock from Ballymena. Reserve champion at the pre-sale show judged by Tom Willoughby, Penhill, this son of the J1 Carry House, sold in a three-way split to Hugh Henry, Starbog; William and Michael Smyth, Foyleview and Graham and Julie Loughery, Temain.

The Holmview flock enjoyed a flying trade with other ram lambs selling at 3800gns and 3200gns for sons of the Carry House tup. The dearest was purchased by Graham Cooke, Gortin and R and S Hayes, Castledamph, while the 3200gns entry was knocked down to Kieran McGrath, Donegal. The Adams also produced the lead average at just over £2000 for 12 lambs.

Michelle Wright's Mullaghwee flock from Carnlough, also came up with the goods with two lambs at 3000gns. First was a J2 Dawyck son purchased by the Thornborrows, Easter Dawyck, Stobo, Peebles, while the second, by a K17 Drummuck, was knocked down to Paul Samon, Tipperary.

Just behind, on 2800gns, Misty Burn, sold a tup lamb by a G1 Highberries to Brendan Blaney, Teivebuaile.

Graham and Julie Loughery's Temain flock from Limavady, produced the lead priced shearling ram at 3600gns, which sold to Robert Loughery, Gortnarney. The pen leader, this cracker is by a G1 Cottage ram.

Their second, a Macherquhat-bred entry by an H1 Dawyck, made 3000gns to Arnold Douglas, Ballyhanna.

The Lougherys also topped the female section at 1200gns with a K5 Hewgill-sired ewe lamb purchased by the judge, Tom Willoughby.

At 2800gns, Sandra Hunter, Bushmills, bought the best from C Magill's Slaneburn flock from Larne, a shearling son of a G2 Tievebuaile Farm.

And, the overall champion, the first prize shearling ram from Lee Beacom's Lakeview flock made 2500gns. A son of a G4 Parkgatestone, he was knocked down to Patrick Gallon, Castlederg.

Averages: 195 shearling rams, £893.55; 132 ram lambs, £998.55; 38 females, £516.60.