Shearing Sports: Winning return for NZ champ Smith

November 20, 2011

Winning return for NZ champ Smith

Reigning New Zealand Open shearing champion Rowland Smith during the weekend became the latest top North Island shearer to venture south to win the Open title at the Nelson A and P Show Shears.

A comfortable victor in his first win of the new season since returning from the Northern Hemisphere earlier this month, Hawke’s Bay-based Northland shearer Smith was following in the footsteps of Cam Ferguson, the reigning Golden Shears and World champion when he won last year, and Paul Avery, the World champion when he won in 2009.

The southerners were no match for Smith who won a 20-sheep final in 21min 20sec, more than two minutes and ultimately 10pts clear of runner-up Kevin Hessell, from Pleasant Pt.

Marlborough shearer Chris Jones was third, and today (Sunday) went on to successfully defend the Top of the South Open title in another 20-sheep final, culminating a series of shows in Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast over the last 12 months.

Results of the Nelson A and P Show Shears at Nelson on Saturday, November 19, 2011:

Open final (20 sheep): Rowland Smith (Ruawai) 21min 20sec, 77.45pts, 1; Kevin Hessell (Pleasant Pt) 23min 32sec, 87.7pts, 2; Chris Jones (Blenheim) 24min 24sec, 94.05pts, 3.

Senior final (6 sheep): Greg Moriarty (Waiau) 14min 25sec, 62.75pts, 1; Travers Baigent (Golden Downs) 12min 17sec, 65.35pts, 2; Rowan Nesbit (Rangiora) 15min 25sec, 73.75pts, 3; Brett Williams (Tapawera) 12min 25sec, 79.417pts, 4.

Intermediate final (5 sheep): Jotham Rentoul (Wakefield) 10min 56sec, 48.4pts, 1; Dafydd Roberts (Wales) 10min 14sec, 49.1pts, 2; Aaron Booker (Blenheim) 11min 21sec, 57.65pts, 3; Lyall Windleburn (Waiau) 9min 49sec, 59.05pts, 4.

Junior final (4 sheep): Joseph Stephens (Ireland) 11min 37sec, 52.6pts, 1; Pat McCarthy (Timaru) 11min 1sec, 53.8pts, 2; Ethan Pankhurst (Masterton) 11min 34sec, 58.2pts, 3; Corey Green (Rakaia) 13min 55sec, 69.75pts, 4.

Top of the South at Nelson on Sunday, November 20, 2011:

Open final (20 sheep): Chris Jones (Blenheim) 22min 31sec, 83.35pts, 1; Rhys Liddell (Reefton) 22min 29sec, 85.25pts, 2; Richard Sampey (Blenheim) 23min 69sec, 91.55pts, 3; Frank Bint (Tapawera) 29min 6sec, 106.55pts. 4.

Open Plate (10 sheep): Robert Herbert (Tapawera) 12min 46sec, 60.2pts, 1; Roger Simpson (Tapawera) 12min 48sec, 65.1pts, 2; Kerry Irvine (Tapawera) 12min 52sec, 65.5pts, 3.

Senior final (8 sheep): Travers Baigent (Golden Downs) 11min 46sec, 53.18pts, 1; Mike Bramley (Tapawera) 13min 2sec, 55.1pts, 2; Greg Moriarty (Waiau) 12min 55sec, 56.88pts, 3; Brett Williams (Tapawera) 10min 50sec, 53.75pts, 4.

Intermediate final (6 sheep): Jotham Rentoul (Wakefield) 12min 5sec, 48.08pts, 1; Aaron Booker (Blenheim) 14min 15sec, 61.75pts, 2; Neil Maconald (Tapawera) 12min 51sec, 65.05pts, 3.

ENDS

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