Victory For New Zealand At Golden Shears

Saturday March 7 2009

Victory For New Zealand At Golden Shears

GUN Kiwi shearer James Fagan propelled New Zealand to a victory in an exciting shear-off against an Australian test team at the 49th Golden Shears in Masterton tonight.

The Aussie team of Damien Boyle, Jason Winfield and Shannon Warnest met Kiwis Fagan, John Kirkpatrick and Nathan Stratford at the Genesis Recreation Centre.

Warnest got an early lead on the big Merinos that the Australians favour and the Kiwis were soon playing catch up.

“We’ve got a helluva row to hoe, look at the might of the Australians,” said commentator Koro Mullins.

“These wrinkly merinos, who would want to fall in love with a wrinkly old merino? Well these Australians do,” he said.

But Fagan began his catch up on sheep four, overtaking Boyle on Stand 1.
The stadiums hopes were pinned on tiny shearer from Te Kuiti and the Kiwis making ground when hit the more familiar cross breeds.

Fagan chased Winfield who had taken over the Australian lead.

Winfield worked hard but Fagan ran him down on the crossbreeds until there was just half a sheep between them.

“He’s the little fella who won’t go away,” Mullins said.

The crowd was going wild by the 11th animal as Fagan overtook Winfield to the cheer and roar of the crowd, finishing first on sheep 11.

The quality judging stacked the points in favour of New Zealand and the three team members received their winner sashes to applause. Winfield picked up the award for top quality points in the test.

ENDS

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