3 Oct 2011

Strong performance by NZ at merino shearing champs

5:34 am on 3 October 2011

New Zealand shearers and wool handlers put in strong performances to take most of the titles at the 50th anniversary merino shearing championships at Alexandra.

The New Zealand team of Grant Smith and Charlie O'Neill won a tri-nations machine shearing international over Australia and South Africa.

As expected, South Africa took the blade-shearing test.

But Bill Michelle of Timaru won the individual blade final, while Australian fine wool shearing champion Damian Boyle took the open machine shearing final.

New Zealand wool handling veteran Joanna Kumeroa won the open final of that event.