The NZ team wrapped up the Wales test series in Pukekohe. LtoR: Jack Fagan, Neil Fagan (manager), and Toa Henderson. Photo: Ange Bridson.
Two tests down and one to go, but New Zealand shearing’s dynamic duo of Jack Fagan (Te Kūiti) and Toa Henderson (Northland) already have the series in the bag.
After a close win during Waitangi weekend’s Āria Sports Day, Fagan and Henderson were again too good for their Welsh opponents at the Counties Shears on Sunday.
“The Welsh series has been a great challenge,” Fagan told The News. “It’s one of the strongest teams they’ve sent to New Zealand. One more to go in Taumarunui on Friday – we want to end the series on a high.”
The Kiwi pair beat Gwion Evans and Llyr Jones by 7.35 points leaving Wales with pride alone to play for at the Taumarunui Shears.
Also in Pukekohe, Fagan placed second to Henderson in the Open with Llyr Jones in third.
The test series win followed the inter-island shearing event at the Southern Shears in Gore. The North Island team – of Fagan, John Kirkpatrick (Hawke’s Bay) and David Buick (Pongaroa) – secured the win and Fagan placed third in the Open.
During a busy weekend, other King Country shearers and woolhandlers were also in the spotlight.
Digger Balme (Ōtorohanga) finished fifth in the Open final at the Counties Shears and Luke Marsden (Taumarunui) won the Intermediate contest.
In Gore, Piopio’s Keahrey Manson and Vinniye Phillips (Taumarunui) placed third (respectively) in the Senior shearing and Open woolhandling.
Closer to home, the Ohura A&P Show Shears Open final saw Mark Grainger (Te Kūiti) place third ahead of James Ruki (Piopio) fourth and Taelor Tarrant (Taumarunui) was third in the Senior category.
King Country’s woolhandlers had a particularly successful Ohura A&P Show. Peggy Tohengaroa (Aria) won the Open and Anna Phillips (Taumarunui) finished second.
Veteran Kelly Barrett (Kawhia) won the senior final with Leah George (Piopio) in third and Paige Marshall, from nearby Kihikihi, placed third in the Junior woolhandling event.
The NZ team wrapped up the Wales test series in Pukekohe. LtoR: Jack Fagan, Neil Fagan (manager), and Toa Henderson. Photo: Ange Bridson.
