Student shearers a cut above rest

Napier Boys' High School student Reuben King won the contest. Photo / Thinkstock

Napier Boys' High School on Wednesday came out on top in the second high schools shearing match at the Hawke's Bay Show.

The contest was won by Reuben King, who countered a deficit from being last to finish the final by scoring the best quality points. Louis Coombe-Gray was runner-up.

Lindisfarne College students filled the other two places in the final, Jonty Wilson taking third place and Jack Twigley fourth.

King also had the best quality points in the heats.

The competition was organised by training organisation Tectra regional manager Bill Hale. NBHS head of agriculture Rex Newman said it was a great event and all the competitors got a good opportunity to view competitive shearing at a novice level. "It is a great competition for these students and one that can hopefully be continued in the future."

The inaugural winner, Whakapunake Maraki of Flaxmere, is now shearing in Australia with King Country shearer Stacey Te Huia, who is preparing for a world record tally bid in Hawke's Bay in January.

Some high school pupils are expected to take a second chance to shear at the show when the Great Raihania Shears are held on the final day today. Competition is in four shearing classes from junior to open and three woolhandling classes.