Top shearer and woolhandler do it again

History was repeated on Saturday night when the big winners at the 2008 Otago Shearing and New Zealand Woolhandling championships did it all over again. Napier shearer John Kirkpatrick may have finished his 20 sheep in the Otago open final behind Dion King and legend David Fagan but his skills and lack of penalty points saw him triumph again.

Gisborne woolhandler Joel Henare not only claimed the South Island open title but he bagged his second consecutive New Zealand open title. More than 400 crammed into the Balclutha War Memorial Hall to watch the finals in which many of the world's best shearers and woolhandlers were taking part.

Kirkpatrick may have won the coveted Otago crown but Fagan used every ounce of his experience to push him all the way.

Fagan was ahead throughout most of the final and the crowd loudly egged him on.

Meanwhile, Henare was the dominant figure in the woolhandling, finishing top qualifier in the open and a comfortable winner over Bill Greenshields.

But it was long-time Milton shearing identity Norman Sanson who took centre stage.

He celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday by shearing a sheep blindfolded.

The crowd thensang Happy Birthday.

Competition secretary Jan Campbell was also recognised for her 12 years in the job.

She stood down this year.

Results

New Zealand transtasman versus New Zealand/World Development team: Transtasman team, 90.110 points, 1; World/Development team, 103.814, 2.

Transtasman woolhandling test: New Zealand, 144.418, 1; Australia, 153.614, 2.

Teams: Elders, 102.660, 1; Tectra/Michelle, 112.169, 2; Pullin Shearing, 122.928, 3. South Island junior woolhandler: Amy Ruki, 104.130, 1; Kate Hurley, 107.840, 2; Melanie Hillis, 124.306, 3.

New Zealand junior woolhandler: Ayla Carroll, 127.782, 1; Shianda Maynard, 168.842, 2; Mirama Holmes, 177.250, 3. New Zealand senior woolhandler: Candy Hiri, 151.220, 1; Eremiha Neha, 163.414, 2; Larnie Rimene, 189.490, 3.

South Island open woolhandler: Joel Henare, 91.658, 1; Bernadette Forde, 100.632, 2; Lisa Fagan, 104.480, 3.

New Zealand open woolhandler: Joel Henare, 178.790, 1; Bill Greenshields, 203.070, 2; Megan Shirley, 225.650, 3.

Otago junior shearing: Brett Roberts, 34.366, 1; Linton Palmer, 34.886, 2; Rowan Forrest, 35.917, 3.

Otago intermediate shearing: Tipene Te Whata, 30.679, 1; Shane Hockett, 35.471, 2; Chris MacGooger, 38.553, 3.

Otago senior shearing: Mark Grainger, 53.983, 1; Ian Kirkpatrick, 55.545, 2; Rob Mainland, 57.447, 3.

Otago open shearing: John Kirkpatrick, 61.888, 1; Dion King, 62.741, 2; David Fagan, 62.900, 3.