Absences leave Spring Shears wide open

Waimate shearer Tony Chamberlain (right), watched closely by judge Rocky Bull (Ashburton), was the only local competitor to make the semifinals of the open machine event at the Waimate Spring Shears on Saturday, but failed to go further. Photo by David Bruce.

The event is part of the national series and attracts shearers from around the country. Fagan won last year's title, the New Zealand Spring Shears championship, and has 11 Waimate titles to his credit, the first in 1984.

This year, the event was wide open and the absence of some of the top names gave the 27 shearers, including some new to the open class, an opportunity to shine.

In the final, Winton's Darin Forde won the title, two Rakaia shearers, Tony Coster and Grant Smith, coming second and third respectively.

The open blades title went to Tim Hogg, who headed off fellow Timaruvian and last year's Waimate winner Billy Michelle.

Richard Watson (North Canterbury) was third.

Entries were slightly down on last year, 71 shearers, 37 wool handlers and 15 teams competing.

This year organisers decided to make entry to the event free in an attempt to promote the contest, which worked well, the four sessions starting on Friday night having better attendances than usual.

A shearing demonstration in Waimate a week before also created much interest.

Results were:-Open machine: Darin Forde (Winton) 71.461 points, 1; Tony Coster (Rakaia), 72.120 points, 2; Grant Smith (Rakaia), 74.107, 3.

Open machine novice: Paewai Ringakaha, 57.078, 1; Axel Reid (Eltham), 59.090, 2; Tony Chamberlain (Waimate), 66.228, 3.

Senior machine: Cory Palmer (Dipton), 50.790 points, 1; Brett Roberts (Mataura), 52.599, 2; Brook Todd (Dipton) 56.668, 3.

Intermediate machine: Phoenix Hawkins (Rakaia), 41.028 points, 1; Andrew Leith, 43.895, 2; Ethan Pankhurst (Masterton), 48.406, 3.

Junior machine: Cory Smith (Rakaia), 43.746 points, 1; Taniora Poole, 48.343, 2; Kahn Culshaw, 50.370, 3.

Open blades: Tim Hogg (Timaru), 73.350 points, 1; Billy Michelle (Timaru), 76.600, 2; Richard Watson (North Canterbury), 76.800, 3.

Open wool handling: Keryn Herbert (Te Awamutu), 118.874 points, 1; Rocky Hape-Taite (Dannevirke), 125.060, 2; Tina Rimene (Masterton), 140.340, 3.

Senior wool handling: Kodi Hawkins (Martinborough), 141.404 points, 1; Juliette Lyon (Alexandra), 161.512, 2; Amber Stringer (Ranfurly), 204.496, 3.

Junior wool handling: Sarah Higgins (Marlborough), 189.140 points, 1; Laurie Tegelaars (Pleasant Point), 199.660, 2; Amanda McCone (Geraldine), 206.660, 3.