Trumphant southern raid on the Golden Shears, but no cigar

The South Island has had possibly its biggest night in the 60 years of the Golden Shears in Masterton with a near cleansweep of major titles on the last of the championships’ four days.

But the south was left still without the big one, as it has done since 1989, with Hawke's Bay gun Rowland Smith claiming Golden Shears Open Shearing Championship for a 7th time by Hawke’s Bay gun Rowland Smith, despite a spirited challenge from 10-times finalist Nathan Stratford and first-time finalist and fellow Invercargill shearer Leon Samuels, who were second and third respectively.

The southern imprint was otherwise everywhere, highlighted by Canterbury-based Southland shearer Troy Pyper’s role in New Zealand’s first transtasman test shearing win in three years, Central Otago-based Gisborne woolhandler Joel Henare’s eighth consecutive Golden Shears Open woolhandling title, and Marlborough gun Angus Moore’s second PGG Wrighson National Shearing Circuit final win, eight years after his first.

Earlier in the day 23-year-old Brandon Maguire Ratima, of Winton, added the Golden Shears Senior shearing title to the Intermediate title he won two years ago, and Amber Poihipi, 29, of Ohai, who voluntarily upgraded from Junior soon after the start of the season in October, won the Senior woolhandling title.

Marlborough shearing contractor Sarah Higgins joined the part by winning the women’s Invitation shearing event.

One of the few northern triumphs on a busy last day was that of Te Kuiti woolhandler Keryn Herbert who won the North Island Open Woolhandling Circuit final, to claim a place in next season’s New Zealand transtasman team with Smith, Moore and Henare, although the team selection depends on availability.

North Canterbury-based Southland shearer Troy Pyper in his leading performance as New Zealand broke a five-match transtasman series losing streak to beat Ausrtralia at the 60th Golden Shears in Masterton tonight.
PHOTO/Pete Nikolaison, Golden Shears.

Rowland Smith and judge Ken McPherson after finishing the 60 Golden Shears Open shearing final and winning the glamour event for a 7th time.
PHOTO/Pete Nikolaison, Golden Shears.

Marlborough shearer wins the PGG Wrighrson National Circuit final at the 60th Golden Shears in Masterton tonight.
PHOTO/Pete Nikolaison, Golden Shears.

Golden Shears Open woolhandling title No 8 coming-up for Central Otago-based Joel Henare, from Gisborne.
PHOTO/Pete Nikolaison.