Paul Hodges wins Open shearing title at Takaka

Geraldine shearer Paul Hodges returned to the scene of his first Open-class win when he won the Golden Bay A and P Show title at Takaka on Saturday.

The 26-year-old won the 2017 final and went on to win four finals in the Nelson-Marlborough region in his debut Open season last year.

He won comfortably on Saturday, more than a sheep around both other finalists, Takaka hope Nick Nalder and Blenheim veteran Chris Jones.

Andrew Ferguson, of Collingwood, added to a lengthy list of Senior wins in the region, and the Junior final was won by Northland visitor Pax Leetch.

On a day when there were disappointingly low entries there was no Intermediate event.

Results from the Golden Bay A and P Show Shears at Takaka on Saturday, January 20, 2018:

Open final (21 sheep): Paul Hodges (Geraldine/Reefton) 18min 3.07sec, 72.2pts, 1; Nick Nalder (Takaka) 19min 30.53sec, 75.15pts, 2; Chris Jones (Blenheim) 20min 47.25sec, 78.93pts, 3.

Open plate (15 sheep): Sam Win (Reefton) 16min 3.22sec, 65.69pts, 1; Frank Bint (Tapawera) 15min 26.22sec, 68.38pts, 2; Baden Barker (Tapawera) 17min 48.04sec, 69.2pts, 3.

Senior final (10 sheep): Andrew Ferguson (Collingwood) 16min 17.37sec, 60.47pts, 1; Mark Rogers (Brightwater) 16min 18.57sec, 65.93pts, 2; Hamish Barker (Tapawera) 16min 21.44sec, 70.37pts, 3.

Junior final (4 sheep): Pax Leetch (Kaikohe) 7min 50.22sec, 36.76pts, 1; Kimberley MacLean (Motueka) 8min 33.78sec, 43.94pts, 2; Johnny Wyllie (Kaikohe) 4min 46.03sec, 44.55pts, 3.