Pair win power fencing final

Visitors to Wellington Zoo’s tiger enclosure can be confident there’s no chance the big cats will get loose because the fence was built by top fencer Mat Jones.

A fencing contractor for the past 20 years, Levin’s Jones has done his fair share of fencing, including a number of enclosures at Wellington Zoo.

‘‘When we did the tiger fence, they had to be sedated because they were out of their enclosure for too long,’’ Jones said.

‘‘Yep, we were a bit slow, but did it right,’’

There was no signs of working slowly during the Double Power Fencing Competition at Central Districts Field Days on Friday.

Jones and partner, Tim Stafford of Marton, pulled out all the tricks in their tool belts to win the title.

The duo have been fencing partners for about five years and last won the title in 2015, but lost it last year. Competitors are given a description of the fence they are required to build when they enter the competition.

Many have competition-specific tools to get the job done faster.

The pair ‘‘hardly speak to each other during the competition,’’ Stafford said.

‘‘We have a simple game plan for every competition. But, we do keep an eye on each other and constantly check to see how the other is going and jump in and help if needed.’’

‘‘Our partnership is better than a marriage,’’ Jones said.

The duo will be hot favourites to win the Silver Spades title at the national Fieldays at Mystery Creek in June.