Southerners dominant in shearing, woolhandling

BALCLUTHA

SOUTHERN contenders showed their mettle at the Otago Shears during the weekend.

The annual Otago Shearing and New Zealand Woolhandling Championships took place at Telford farm institute, near Balclutha, on Saturday, providing onlookers with a feast of firstclass competition from some of the country’s best practitioners.

Southern entrants were prominent on the podium among all classes. The premier open shearing class was won for the second year on the trot by Invercargill’s Leon Samuels.

Fellow Southlanders — and perennial contenders — Nathan Stratford, of Invercargill, and Brett Roberts, of Mataura, could only muster 4th and 5th place respectively in a hardfought final this year.

Hawke’s Bay’s Rowland Smith took second, and Northland shearer Toa Henderson was third.

Gore shearer Brodie Horrell took first place in the Intermediate shears.

Southerners dominated the supporting classes of the woolhandling competition, although the national open title was once again won by Joel Henare, of Gisborne.

Henare saw off spirited challenges from Otago contenders Pagan Karauria (2nd, Alexandra); Kelly McDonald (3rd, Hawea); and seasoned performer, now industry facilitator, Tia Potae, of Milton, in 4th.

It was a local onetwo in the senior woolhandler of the year class, in the shape of Destiny Paikea, of Heriot, and Heaven Little, of Balclutha.

Samantha Allan, of Milton, was junior woolhandler of the year, in her first win at the Otago event.

Otago Shears president Bruce Walker thanked host Telford for accommodating the event for this and next year, while longstanding venue the Balclutha War Memorial Hall is replaced.

‘‘There are some benefits to holding the event here, and some compromises, but it’s been a fantastic day here today.

‘‘It’s been particularly heartening to see so many goodquality young contenders pushing through and demanding to be noticed. They’re the future of this event, and the most important people here today.’’

Mr Walker thanked sponsors and volunteers for their continued support of the shears.

PHOTOS: RICHARD DAVISON Golden fleece . . . Heaven Little, of Balclutha, casts her fleece during the heats of the Otago Woolhandling Senior competition at Telford on Saturday. Right: Leon Samuels, of Invercargill, retained his Otago Shears Open title.