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RAKAIA SHEARER WINS MERINO CHAMPS |
| Rakaia’s Grant Smith survived a tenacious challenge from his near neighbour, Tony Coster, to win the New Zealand Merino Shears open championship at Alexandra on Saturday night. The only finalist to have previously won the Wrightson-sponsored title, Smith adopted the tactics that brought him victory in 2000, by grabbing the early lead and making the other five contenders play catch-up. Midway through the 12-sheep contest, Smith had a commanding lead, but Coster kept up the chase to finish just over a minute behind. The pair produced similar quality jobs according to the outside judges, but Smith’s time advantage was enough to see him join a select group who have won the title more than once in its 42-year history. Two Gore competitors, Tina Rimene and Sharon Lawton, finished first and second in the Lyon Shearing open woolhandling, with Rimene depriving Lawton of what would have been her third successive win. Promising Te Awamutu contestant, Keryn Herbert finished in third place, her best performance since entering open ranks last season. Two new features on the programme, New Zealand shearing and woolhandling teams against Development teams, proved to be outstandingly successful. The current national teams won both contests but in closely-fought encounters that augur well for future international competitions. Grant Smith now joins Darin Forde (Winton) and John Kirkpatrick (Napier) to compete against Australia at Roma, Queensland, next weekend, while Tina Rimene and Angelique Gage are the national woolhandling representatives. John Hough of Rakaia will manage the team. Grant Smith’s win also earns him a place in the New Zealand team to compete at the world championships in Australia next year [June 2005]. Results follow: NEW ZEALAND MERINO SHEARS, ALEXANDRA, 17/18 SEPTEMBER 2004 Wrightson NZ Merino Open: Grant Smith, Rakaia, 84.493 1; Tony Coster, Rakaia, 85.737 2; John Emslie, Kurow, 92.474 3; Nathan Stratford, Invercargill, 94.153 4; Ken Fergusson, Oamaru, 94.818 5; Joe Paewai, Martinborough, 94.843 6. Tru-Test Supershear senior: Tim Cotchin, Australia, 58.475 1; Bonny Morrison, Rotorua, 60.079 2; Douglas Smith, Ruawai, 75.883 3; Paerata Abraham, Dannevirke, 76.199 4; Matt Pringle, Alexandra, 77.521 5; Beni Maguire, Balclutha, 78.661 6. Lyon Shearing open woolhandling: Tina Rimene, Gore, 210.360 1; Sharon Lawton, Gore, 337.260 2; Keryn Herbert, Te Awamutu, 384.400 3. Ravensdown/Ainsley Shearing senior: Adrienne Kiri, Alexandra, 146.106 1; Sam Heta, Christchurch, 147.846 2; Cassie Holmes, Waimate, 164.970 3; Pare Jackson, Otautau, 182.870 4. Amy McGregor, Alexandra, 141.390 1; Amber Stringer, Ranfurly, 155.500 2; Joel Henare, Lumsden, 167.124 3; Holly Whiti, Winton, 180.150 4. Ancare NZ/PGG Merino teams: Lyon Wannabees 267.460 1; Ainsley 2 277.376 2; HSV 344.548 3. New Zealand Vs Development Teams: Shearing: New Zealand (Darin Forde, Tony Coster, James Fagan) 190.957 1; Development team (Dion King, Nathan Stratford, Justin Meikle) 199.895 2. Woolhandling: New Zealand (Tina Rimene, Angelique Gage) 78.794 1; Development team (Keryn Herbert, Leah Brenssell) 106.902 2. Ends. Further information from Des Williams, Tel 07 843 4944. |