Strabane native Tom Perry was crowned national shearing champion on day two of Blamoral Show, edging out Jack Robinson, Claudy with Russell Smyth from Coleraine completing the top three.

Perry and Robinson will go to represent NI, along with Graeme Davidson, Larne, in the six nations shearing competition on 9 August at Clonmany, Co Donegal.

Four days of competitive sheep shearing at Balmoral show saw a multitude of winners across the various classes.

The junior classes on day one saw Donegal man Christopher Begley come in first place. The intermediate classes were settled on day two with Dewi Jones from Wales taking the title while Iain Wilson, Islandmagee, placed second.

The ladies championship on Friday went to New Zealand’s Alice Watson, with Madison Rafferty from Killyleagh the top-placed local competitor in fourth. The senior championship later that day was won by Ellis Rees from Wales.

The final day of action saw England’s Matt Smith winning the Royal Ulster Open Shearing Championship, with local man Jack Robinson in second.

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