Shearers give their all in competition

What do an ex-world champ, a gumbooter's daughter, a Canadian, and Pete the Possum have in common? All enjoyed another Whanga Shears.

Hotly contested last weekend was the kids' crutching, with 17 budding shearers taking the stand.

Local lad Reuben Pease took the line honors.

Girl power won out in the novice and junior events with local gal Zora Boettcher delighted with her first foray into shearing contests and Peggy Tohengaroa from Aria taking out the juniors.

The Wayne Donaldson Trophy for the intermediate event went to Craig Ward from Tamaranui with Pa Herlihy making his first final since the shears started. The senior final was a close battle between the Herlihy brothers, with Deano just edging out Paul.

Paul finally got the black singlet, eclipsing his previous titles won.

Full results: Kids crutching: 1st Reuben Pease, 2nd Max Hutchinson, 3rd Mahliek Clark. Novices: 1st Zora Boettcher, 2nd Brett Alexander, 3rd David Wards. Juniors: 1st Peggy Tohengaroa, 2nd Trevor Holland, 3rd Tara Marshall. Intermediate: 1st Craig Wards, 2nd John Herlihy, 3rd Walter Pease. Seniors: 1st Dean Herlihy, 2nd Paul Herlihy, 3rd Tony Old. Open: 1st Paul Avery, 2nd Lloyd Alexander, 3rd Clint Bellamy.

To round off the day, there was a speed shear with a gumboot of beer to drink (of course), with Lloyd and Paul H hitting the same time.

The organisers thank the sponsors and all involved in making the day run smoothly.

Meanwhile, this weekend at the Golden Shears open final in Masterton, Whangamomona farmer and world champion Gavin Mutch placed fifth with 67.162 points. Hastings' Rowland Smith took the crown this year with 61.151 points.