Smith repeats win at Peninsula show

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On behalf of Shearing Sports New Zealand

January 14, 2013

Smith repeats win at Peninsula show

A bit of control under pressure saw Master Shearer and former New Zealand team member Grant Smith safely through the defence of the Peninsula Duvauchelle show’s Open title in a 12-sheep final on Saturday (Jan 12).

Smith was up-against some familiar faces in a four-man contest which was judged solely on speed and the finished product in the pens, board judging dispensed with in another trial aimed at making the events more spectator-friendly.

On a scorching Canterbury day it might have been of some relief to the judges who were able to take a break to watch the action, as Smith and fellow Rakaia shearer Shaun Bugess battled for the time honours.

Finishing in 12min 10.19sec, Burgess was first off by two-and-a-half seconds but the real interest was in whether Tectra instructor Kevin Hessell had done enough to sneak the win, in a showdown also featuring boss and Shearing Sports New Zealand chairman Gavin Rowland.

Hessell, having a further 18 seconds after Smith, did claim the best pen points, but Smith had done enough to claim the ribbon and cheque, beating Hessell by 0.7pts.

Lifestyle block shearer Lance Barnes, of Diamond Harbour, made a rare finals appearance to win the Senior title by just 0.06pts from Nelson visitor Jotham Rentoul.

Third was first-man-off Shane Hackett, of Christchurch, while Waiau contractor defending Senior champion Greg Moriarty, in the final for a fifth consecutive year, was fourth.

The Intermediate final was won by rare competitor Vinnie Enright, of Rangiora, beating the promising duo of Paul Hodges, from Geraldine, and Lincoln student and young Masterton shearer Ethan Pankhurst, while the Junior final went to the Open champion’s nephew, Cory Smith.

The competition experienced the same decline in the number of entries affecting other shows this season, but organiser Phil Bremner is hopeful the celebration of the A and P Show’s centennial will attract more competitors next year.

Results from the Pensinsula Duvauchelle A and P Show on Saturday, January 12, 2013:

Open final (12 sheep): Grant Smith (Rakaia) 12min 12.63sec, 54.3pts, 1; Kevin Hessell (Pleasant Pt) 12min 30.03sec, 55pts, 2; Shaun Burgess (Rakaia) 12min 10.19sec, 62.81pts, 3; Gavin Rowland (Rakaia) 13min 17sec, 63.27pts, 4.

Senior final (8 sheep): Lance Barnes(Diamond Harbour) 12min 46.94sec, 56.47pts, 1; Jotham Rentoul (Wakefield) 11min 5.5sec, 56.53pts, 2; Shane Hackett (Christchurch) 11min 12.37sec, 57.87pts, 3; Greg Moriarty (Waiau) 11min 9..06sec, 60.95pts, 4.

Intermediate final (4 sheep): Vinnie Enright (Rangiora) 7min 36.38sec, 42.72pts, 1; Paul Hodges (Geraldine) 8min 1.34sec, 43.82pts, 2; Ethan Pankhurst (Masterton) 8min 21.3sec, 44.27pts, 3; Lyall Windleburn (Waiau) 8min 21.41sec, 48.57pts, 4.

Junior final (3 sheep): Cory Smith (Rakaia) 6min 50.44sec, 36.52pts, 1; Edward Herrington (Akaroa) 7min 28.47sec, 62.78pts, 2; Regan Senior (-) 6min 24.24sec, 65.98pts, 3; Tania Kiely (Akaroa) 11min 34.38sec, 60.31pts, 4.

ENDS

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