A disappointing trade at the Welsh National Texel sale at Welshpool, saw averages mostly fall on the year and for fewer sold.

Outwith the shearling ram trade which improved by £28 on the year, gimmers and ram lambs both slipped by more than £100 on the 2021 event.

It was a shearling that topped the sale when Caereinion Emperor, the pre-sale champion as selected by the judge, Rosie Boden, Sportsmans, sold at 4400gns.

Consigned by Cefin Pryce and family this big lad is by Sportsmans V8 and out of a dam by Cambwell Trademark. He sold to near neighbours, A Rees and Son, Llanfair Caereinion.

Second best among the shearlings was a 4000gns for the Watkins family's Corras Escobar from Kentchurch. This son of Artnagullion Corras, out of a dam by Hollyford Venus, stood male champion at the Royal Welsh Show in July. He found a new home with the Creer family, Ballaglonney, Isle of Man.

Myfyr Evans was again in the money amongst the ram lambs selling the lead priced lot at 2400gns to Peter and James Vaughan of the Kingspark flock from Kingsland, Hereford. This was

Rhaeadr First Refusal, another by Sportsmans Dare Devil, of a dam by Brackenridge Crown Royal. Mr Evans also received 1700gns for Rhaeadr Fearless.

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Gordon and David Gray, Selkirk, took 2000gns for Ettrick Frank The Tank, a son of Claybury Dunkirk, out of a dam by Midcombe Brigadier. He sold to RE and CJ Davies, Yockleton.

Robert Cockburn's reserve male champion, Knap FBI from Hill of Errol, Perth, made 1400gns to the James family, Tynbryn Farms Tregynon. He is by New View Electrifying.

Gimmers sold to 1800gns from Robert Bennett, Plasucha and Procters Farm, Lancs.

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock sales

averages: 43 gimmers, £713.76 (-£101.82 for three less), 26 shearling rams £1276.56 (+£27.91 for 11 fewer), 50 ram lambs £654.78 (-£165.06 for 26 fewer).