Stags of South Molton report a slightly bigger entry than last week and again a generally good show of lambs on offer.

As expected after last week's very dear trade, trade was less, with many of the best lambs between 220-230ppk, which is still very good for the first week in July.

Probably the most affected by the easier trade were the lighter lambs and the under finished lambs. Buyers definitely more selective and the fresher younger lambs meeting the best demand along with the heavier well covered lambs.

Lots of pens again over the £100 mark but also a number of leaner lambs sold around the 200pppk mark. Best pens today at 236ppk for a super 44.5kg pen of Pure Texels from Messrs TH & PM Bolt of Huntsham, with 40kg Charollais crosses from Mr E Heard of Cadeleigh. 232ppk to 47.1kg Charollais crosses from Mr R Irwin of Kings Nympton with five pens at 229ppk; the first to 43.1kg Charollais crosses again from Mr Irwin; the second to 43.5kg Texel crosses from Messrs Temuka Ltd of Meshaw; the third to 45kg Texel crosses from Mrs JA Cockwill of Yarnscombe; the fourth to 47kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DJ & RA Woollacott also of Yarnscombe and the fifth to 49kg Texel crosses from Mrs L Gardiner of Ash Mill.

228ppk twice; the first to 45.3kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DJ & LM Stephens of Oldways End and the second to 47.8kg Charollais crosses from Messrs MH & CB Ayre of Black Dog. Another seven pens at 227ppk; the first to 32.2kg Charollais crosses from Messrs MR & MJ May of Chittlehamholt; the second to 45kg Pure Texels again from Messrs Bolt; the third to 42.1kg Lleyn crosses again from Mr Irwin; the fourth to 45kg Charollais crosses again from Messrs Stephens; the fifth to 48kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs A & D Bray of Twitchen; the sixth to 50kg Charollais crosses from Messrs D & G Phillips & Partners of Chulmleigh and the seventh to 50kg Charollais crosses again from Messrs Woollacott.

Read more: South Molton Market report for Thursday, June 25

Topping the day at £118 to 56kg Charollais crosses from Mr B Blackmore of Stoke Rivers with £114 twice; the first to 51kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs Parsonage Farms of Chulmleigh and the second to 53kg Texel crosses from Messrs Temuka Ltd of Meshaw. £113.50 three times; the first to 50kg Charollais crosses from Messrs D & G Phillips & Partners of Chulmleigh; the second to 51kg Charollais crosses from Mr MH Gillbard of Puddington and the third to 50kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DJ & RA Woollacott of Yarnscombe.

£112 three times also; the first to 58kg Charollais crosses from Mr G Mills & Partners Ltd of Witheridge; the second to 49kg Texel crosses from Mrs L Gardiner of Ash Mill and the third to 50kg Texel crosses from Messrs Easterbrook & Partners of Yarnscombe. £110.50 to 50kg Charollais crosses from Mrs PA Stentiford of Whiddon with £110 to 51.7kg Texel crosses from Mr MI Britton of Little Torrington. £109.80 to 51.5kg Dorset crosses from Mrs P Philp of Umberleigh with £109.50 to 47.1kg Charollais crosses from Mr R Irwin of Kings Nympton. £108.80 twice; the first to 48kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs A & D Bray of Twitchen and the second to 47.8kg Charollais crosses from Messrs MH & CB Ayre of Black Dog.

A smaller entry of cull sheep than last week with a number of good runs of ewes on offer and definitely overall a better-quality entry than the previous fortnight. Trade certainly dearer with lots of pens over the £85 mark. Best trade for the bigger, stronger ewes as well as the plainer, leaner ewes. As the grass continues to grow more and more grazing buyers are looking for ewes. Best Suffolk Mules £90 plus and best Mules £70 plus. Topping the day at £118 to a super pair of Pure Texel ewes from Messrs TH & PM Bolt of Huntsham with similar sorts from Mr NA Cooke of Torrington at £113 and £99.50 respectively. £96 to Suffolk Mules from Messrs DJ & RA Woollacott of Yarnscombe with Texel crosses from Messrs MG & SR Kingdon of Swimbridge at £94, the same money at Texel crosses from Messrs Irwin & Sons of Mariansleigh. £93 to Suffolk Mules again from Messrs Kingdom with three pens at £92; all to Suffolk Mules from Messrs Eastman & Bolt of High Bickington; Messrs Woollacott again and Mr MJ Avery of Yarnscombe. £90.50 to Texel crosses from Mr G Atkins of Dulverton closely followed at £90 to more blackfaces from Messrs Woollacott.

£89.50 three times; again all to Suffolk Mules from Mr JK May of Eastleigh; Mr NA Cooke and Messrs Eastman & Bolt. Best rams to a Charollais from Mr P Coles of Hockworthy at £90.50 with similar sorts from Mr DEJ Nott of Kennerleigh at £88.50.