Staff Reporter

These youngsters riding on home turf had their families celebrating at the North King Country Motorcycle club’s King of the Schools event on Mangarino Rd recently. Ben Gaylor, Deklan Burton, Evan Gray, Mason Fordham and Sam Gray came home second overall in an event which attracted entries from 85 primary and intermediate schools in their section – and 127 school in total. Results: Primary-intermediate, St Joseph’s, Stratford 1, Ōtorohanga South 2, Whakamaru 3, Te Awamutu Primary 4. Secondary, Tauranga Boys College 1, New Plymouth Boys High 2, Hamilton Boys High 3.

Silver lining

Jesse Wood

Hautapu alumni Dylan Eti and James Thompson have been floating around the Chiefs rugby squad in 2025.

Hautapu lock Dylan Eti has been with the Chiefs and is now at the Super Rugby Under 20 tournament in Taupō. Photo: Matt Gould[/caption]

The pair of former St Peter’s School Cambridge students join a large cohort of Hautapu associated players who are involved in 2025 Super Rugby Pacific squads and wider training groups.

Luke Jacobson, Jacob Norris (replacement player), Ollie Norris, Simon Parker and Bradley Slater are others to be with the Chiefs this year.

Ryan Coxon (Western Force), Laghlan McWhannell (Blues) and Waisake Salabiau (Highlanders wider squad) are participating elsewhere.

Coming from the King Country and Bay of Plenty respectively, Eti is a fresh face to Hautapu, while Thompson has moved to Patumahoe (Counties Manukau) after several years at the club.

Eti was training with the Chiefs in pre-season and is now in the Chiefs Under 20 squad competing in the annual Super Rugby Under 20 tournament at Owen Delany Park in Taupō.

Pool matches were played on Saturday and Tuesday – and the finals will take place this Saturday.

Eti moved to St Peter’s for his final two years of secondary schooling after attending Ōtorohanga College.

“I’ve loved training with the Chiefs. It was definitely a step up. This time last year I was with the first XV, so it’s definitely a big change and an eye opener,” Eti says.

“It’s an insight into where I want to be fulltime in the future. It was a surprise to get invited to train.

“There are a lot of boys in my position that have played NPC, but I ended up getting a call up. I loved it.”

Eti says he enjoys being part of the under 20 squad too, giving him opportunities to develop his game.

He hasn’t forgotten his King Country roots and frequently visits his parents who still reside in Ōtorohanga.

“[My King Country upbringing is what] made me. I’m down there every other weekend. It’s always good to catch up with my mates from primary school there. I love it,” he says.

“Last year when Ōtorohanga played against Hautapu, it was down there. I spent the night back down there and it was amazing. There’s nothing like home.”

The young lock will return to play for Hautapu this year and has a bright future.

“By the end of this year, I’m hoping to make the New Zealand Under 20 squad and hopefully get an NPC contract or game time at least.”

Eti may follow in the footsteps of recent Ōtorohanga connected Super Rugby representatives Toby Arnold (2024 Crusaders injury cover), Haereiti Hetet (Fijian Drua) and Cortez Ratima (Chiefs).

Fellow second-rower Thompson is still at Chiefs training fulltime after joining as injury cover for Fiti Sa.

He’s no stranger to the Chiefs environment, having spent several years there previously.

Thompson is still waiting to make his franchise debut but got a taste of Super Rugby, in 2024 donning the Blues jersey.

He appeared three times for the Auckland-based side before reconnecting with the Chiefs this year.

“To be back with the team I grew up supporting is pretty special,” Whakatāne-born Thompson says.

“First and foremost, I’m keen to get out and debut for the Chiefs. Then get some time in the saddle and have a bit of involvement in important games.

“The biggest learning I took away from playing Super Rugby was the importance of being physical all the time, along with knowing your detail and nailing the little things.”

Thompson was a boarder at St Peter’s from Year 7-13, a school his father also attended.

After leaving St Peter’s he transitioned to Hautapu, playing several seasons there.

He tries to stay in touch with the club as regularly as possible.

“Hautapu is a special place to me. I’m sitting on 48 or 49 games, so I’m itching to get a couple more and tick over to that 50. If I can do that, it would be a proud moment for me,” Thompson says.

Eti gets the Chiefs view

Jon Rawlinson

Although the dust (and wool!) kicked up by many sets of clippers at the Golden Shears has now settled, there’s been little rest for New Zealand’s top guns competing across the country.

Despite the recent installation of improved air conditioning at Te Kūiti’s Les Munro Centre, the heat will be on during the NZ Shearing Championships, starting on Saturday week.

“As its run in conjunction with the New Zealand Shears running of Sheep, with the muster, we’re always guaranteed of a good crowd,” NZ Shears committee chair, Sir David Fagan, says.

After claiming the Golden Shears Open title recently, followed by wins at the Rural Games (speed shearing) and Kumeu Show, Northland’s Toa Henderson, is on hot form and will be tough to beat.

“The favourite would have to be Toa but he has a lot of competition. Very close behind him will be the likes of Rowland Smith (Hawke’s Bay) and David Buick (Wairarapa) as well as the usual candidates including Brett Roberts (Southland), Jack Fagan and Mark Grainger (both Te Kūiti).”

Another hometown competitor looking to pull the (wool) rug from beneath her opponents’ feet is North Island Woolhandling Circuit winner, Te Kūiti’s Keryn Herbert.

“Keryn’s performed really well. She’ll be a major threat in the woolhandling, I’m sure,” David Fagan said.

In addition, the third New Zealand v Wales Shearing Test, which sees Jack Fagan and David Buick take on Gethin Lewis and Llyr Jones, will be a major drawcard.

The chance to represent New Zealand in the United Kingdom and France is also on the line.

“The New Zealand Shears is part of the circuit for selection for the New Zealand team for the World Championships at Golden Shears next March,” David Fagan said. “Whoever wins will be in a good position with two places in the team up for grabs, for the Open winner and the Open circuit winner.”

The lower grades will also feature plenty of talent.

“There are some good juniors coming through. We went through the list for the parent-child whānau event the other day and there are some really competitive teams.”

He did joke that was “even though some of the fathers are getting a bit old”.

Among them will be David’s great niece, Sonya Fagan, and her father Craig.

Although there may be one or two dark horses in the mix, if not black sheep, this year’s event will feature numerous fiercely contested titles. In the meantime, activity at the Les Munro Centre is already due to start.

“A large contingent of volunteers will begin work on the 24th,” David adds. “It’s a huge job for them, with all the sheep pens and staging, but their efforts are always appreciated.”

Shear delight awaits

Norris Woodbine

With the commencement of the King Country club premiership season just three weeks away, clubs are gearing up with annual preseason fixtures.

While there is still some conjecture as to the final makeup of the competition both Waitomo and Waitete are hosting formidable opponents at home venues on Saturday.

Waitomo have been training for some time and had their first hit out against Waikato First Division club Ōhaupō last weekend at the picturesque Ōhaupō Domain and face a bit of a step up this weekend against a Hamilton City opponent in Te Rapa.

Due to a clash with Waitomo Sports day, they will be hosting the Charlie Ngatai coached Te Rapa side at Ōtorohanga’s Island Reserve at 1pm.

Ngatai was a star mid field back for the Chiefs and NZ Māori before enjoying an overseas career and has returned looking to see Te Rapa promoted to premiership grade.

Waitomo coach Steve Edwards, in his second season in charge, was very happy with his side’s performance in Ōhaupō and while conceding Te Rapa will offer a huge challenge is confident his side will build on their performance.

“Several of our boys were unavailable last week and will return on Saturday and we will train twice this week so we are well prepared.”

With seasoned forwards such as Rangi Mulligan-Green, Kenneth Perawiti, Dylan Coull anchoring a solid pack and former King Country rep and Waikato league star Sam Trangmar joined by youngsters Brooky Pye and Kees Muller their forwards will be a hard nut to crack.

The wily Eden Kawhena will lead an exciting looking young back line where Hurimai Turner, Freemin Te Whare and Brock Kawhena will be joined by the electric Hemi Keefe-Edwards who was great against Ōhaupō.

Of interest is the inclusion of former Waitomo star Thomas (Maui) Hayes at first five for Te Rapa. He is sure to have a target on his back.

In Te Kuiti on their home patch Waitete will host the Cobra’s Club from Te Aroha in the Thames Valley in what has become something of a traditional match.

Valley sides tend to be very well organised and although not too much is known of their strength this year the Cobra’s will provide a strong opposition for the men in blue.

Waitete continue to develop younger players, but Ryan Joyce will return to anchor a very solid pack with exciting loosies like Rico Bell and Liam Knight looking to continue their development.

Michael Lea and Livai To’ofohe have returned to strengthen the scrums.

The backs will be strong with Athol Snedden, Callum Hedley and Phayzen Marshall all now seasoned campaigners while they have a real star in King Country rep Baven Brown Junior who is sure to light up the paddock once again.

With the game in Otorohanga kicking off at 1pm and Te Kuiti at 2.30pm rugby followers will have the opportunity to take in both games this Saturday.

Let's go...bring on the rugby

Roy Pilott

Waipā and King Country interest in football’s Southern Conference men’s league has evaporated.

The league – one step down from the Northern League which takes in Auckland clubs - last season saw Cambridge crowned champions and win promotion.

Ōtorohanga, which had hoped to move up into the Southern Conference having won League One couldn’t because it doesn’t have an Under-23 team.

Te Awamutu finished bottom of the table and elected to drop down a division. But the competition that may have provided a clash between neighbours, League One, is likely to disappear.

Three clubs – Claudelands, Papamoa and Ōtorohanga pulled out of the league – in Ōtorohanga’s case because it did not have a qualified coach, a requirement of participation.

The next step is likely to be a confirmation that the remaining League One clubs return to their own Waikato and Bay of Plenty competitions – something of a backward step.

The restrictive rulings around participation are not popular with Waikato club administrators who say they might work in Auckland, but do not achieve their goal of improving the game in smaller communities like Tokoroa and Ōtorohanga. In fact, as Ōtorohanga can testify, the opposite happens – having lost players it is not in contention to enter a new look top Waikato league.

It’s expected the clubs in the top Waikato league will come from a pool of Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Claudelands, Tokoroa, Wanderers, Unicol, Huntly, Melville, Northern and Morrinsville.

Otorohanga ruled out

A trio of shearing tests is set to confirm whether a Welsh dragon or a silver fern will top the podium.

Two of New Zealand’s top gun shearers, Jack Fagan (Te Kūiti) and David Buick (Wairarapa) will take on Gethin Lewis and Llyr Jones in a three match series.

Following the first test, on Saturday at the Waimarino Shears in Raetihi, the second instalment will be at the Waitomo Sports Day the following weekend. The final encounter will take place at the New Zealand Shears in Te Kūiti on March 28.

"It's always good to host the Welsh here,” shearing legend Sir David Fagan told The News.

“The Welsh are great at looking after the Kiwis when they're over there, so it's nice to be able to return the favour and great to have them back in Te Kūiti.”

When touring the UK and France last year, Jack Fagan and David Buick were defeated 2-1 by the Welsh pair.

Masterton’s Paerata Abraham and David Gordon headed to the New Zealand Shears 2024 with a series over Wales already under their belts, but Lewis and Jones avoided a whitewash.

“The series will be very interesting as Wales got their first ever win on New Zealand soil in Te Kūiti last year,” David Fagan adds. “The New Zealand team will be out trying to stop that happening again.”

Close cuts expected in Welsh tests

One who climbs trees, another who cuts them down and a carter named Carter all secured plaudits at the Rural Sports Awards at the weekend.

Held in Palmerston North, the awards evening featured as part of the overall Rural Games programme.

In addition to common country pastimes, including timbersports, fencing, shearing, rodeo, sheep dog trials and harness racing, the games also included some less orthodox contests such as gumboot and cowpat throwing, tree climbing, egg roulette and many more.

Games founder Steve Hollander said more than 37,500 of people came along to watch and “have a go at the sports that built our nation”.

Among those securing awards was Taumarunui’s Jack Jordan, who secured the Sportsman of the Year title for the third year in a row.

The top chopper also claimed the Rural Games’ Timbersports NZ Men’s Championship for the fourth time with his brother, Shane Jordon (Stratford) second.

“I was really happy as a lot of work went into training,” Jordan said. “It’s a qualifier to get us overseas to represent New Zealand, so to come out on top again was really pleasing.”

The high standard across all categories made selections especially difficult this year, awards judge Te Kūiti’s Sir David Fagan told The News.

“Overall, there was an incredible line up of people with nominations coming in from many rural sports,” he said. “It is tough for the judges [to choose winners] when we get to that top three in each category.”

Another sportsperson with King Country connections, shearing’s Catherine Mullooly, was pipped at the post and Fagan, a 16 time Golden Shears winner, said she was a worthy finalist in the Sportswoman of the Year category.

“Catherine spent a lot of time shearing in Piopio and she set a world shearing record at Nukuhakari Station on the coast earlier this year,” he added. “It’s nice to see shearing sports represented at this level.”

Winners were: Sportsman of the Year: Jack Jordan, timbersports (Taumarunui), Sportswoman: Steph Dryfhout tree climbing, (Tauranga), Young Sportsperson: Carter Dalgety, harness racing (Canterbury), Sportsperson with a Disability: Adam Hall, skiing (Wānaka). Lifetime Legacy awards: Alan Wallace, ploughing (Te Awamutu), Jack Davis, sheepdog trials (Cromwell), Sir Mervyn Tutuiri Church, rodeo (Bay of Plenty). Outstanding Contribution to rural sports: Ken and Karen Breckon, harness racing (Ōhaupō), Lyn Baigent, shearing (Wakefield). Sir Brian Lochore Memorial Award for Outstanding Sportsperson from a Rural Background: Tim Southee, cricket (Northland)

Jordan swings a win (or two)

Mary Anne Gill

Almost 600 people took part in the annual Waipā fun run in Cambridge last weekend – including a good number from the King Country.

 St Peter’s Catholic School in Cambridge started the event 13 years ago as a fundraiser and only missed once since, during Covid.

This year $1 from each entry in the school challenge went to Cambridge Lifeskills, a not for profit agency which offers free counselling for children between the ages of 5 to 15. The rest will go towards outdoor shade sails for the junior school.

Organiser Donna Warwick said two other events taking place on the same day had an impact on numbers this year.

Rotary had 500 competitors for Run the Runway at Hamilton Airport while the North Island secondary school rowing champs were at Lake Karāpiro.

Melissa O’Brien of Ōtorohanga, recorded the bet women’s 5km time – 19m 28s  while Horahora farmer Lane Madsen won the 10km race for the second year running.

The Madsen family had a field day – Lane winning the 10kms while brothers Joshua and Vaughn were first and second in the 5km run.

Orchard Valley Glamping of Ōtorohanga won the teams’ event.

Running for fun

It was like winning an Olympic medal, and Keryn Herbert couldn’t hide the emotion.

The Te Kūiti mum was among the big winners at last weekend’s Golden Shears in Masterton, finishing first in the North Island Woolhandling Circuit final.

She was the first recipient of the Ronnie Goss Memorial Trophy – named in honour of Veronica Goss, who died in 2021 – and used to compete against Herbert.

Herbert also watched her daughter, Ngahuia Salmond, half of an Otiwhiti Station Land Based Training School duo, compete in the Student Shearing Challenge.

The 23rd Golden Shears International Shearing and Woolhandling Championships featured some surprises, and King Country successes

Keryn handles the pressure

Iprotech Security were crowned champions of the Ōtorohanga Club Summer Soccer competition after beating Maunga Lions 4-1 in the final last week.

The win was a reversal of the result from the previous season, when Maunga Lions took home the shield.

The teams had earlier finished third and fourth in the ASB Bank round robin series then accounted for the top two seeds TV Connect and King Country Autoglass in the semifinal.

For TV Connect, winners of the Lion Brown Trophy for winning the Round Robin by four points, a 4-3 semi-final loss to Iprotech was a bitter pill to swallow as they had been the in-form team all year, going undefeated and winning 14 matches and drawing three in the 17 game Round Robin.

TV Connect scored a 4-3 win over King Country Autoglass in the playoff for third.

PFC United won Division 2, beating Advantage Tyres 1-0, while King Country Kitchens were winners in Division 3, defeating Bailey Ingham 1-0. Darcy’s Raiders and Sniper Refinish drew 2-2 with Darcy’s winning the penalty shoot out to take out Division 4.

Most improved team went to Advantage Tyres, while most improved player was Hobbs Transport Services young striker Sophie Perera. Young Player of the Year was Maiao Keogh-Harmon, who plays for Main Road Kings.

Manager of the Year was awarded to TV Connect’s Nigel Walker. Referee of the Year was Michael Crook, while Alasdair Laws was awarded Personality of the Year.

Best Social Team went to Hobbs Transport Services, while the Team Sportsmanship award was presented to King Country Autoglass - the inaugural winners of the award. Player of the Year was King Country Autoglass’ Isaac Pethybridge.

Summer Soccer report

The fleeces were flying as some of the world’s best shearers and woolhandlers went hoof to hoof during The Golden Shears in Masterton at the weekend.

Although the winners circle included many from the King Country, there was one undisputed queen from the region, Te Kūiti’s Keryn Herbert. The master woolhandler finished first in the North Island Woolhandling Circuit final.

“Golden Shears is like Olympics for us,” she said. “This one made it twice in a row, I came second the year before and won it the year before that but I honestly can’t remember how many times I’ve won it over the last 20 years. It is a hotly contested circuit, and it was extra special this time because I was the first recipient of the Ronnie Goss Memorial Trophy.”

A woolhandling legend, Ronnie died aged just 53 after competing at the Taumarunui Shears in 2021.

The final was not without controversy, however.

“The timing system restarted which created quite a lot of drama. The organisers found some sheep for us so we did get to re-run the final. There was a lot on the line and emotions were high because the winner gets to represent New Zealand.”

As Herbert represents the Cook Islands, second place Ngaio Hanson (Eketahuna) earned the jersey.

While gun shearers tend to gather much of the glory, a skilled woolhandler is as good as gold and well respected in the shed, Herbert says.

“If they want to make more money, they need a good woolhandler. We’re the ones who make the money for the farmers. It’s what we do with their wool that makes or breaks their income.”

Arguably one of the biggest upsets was Northland’s Toa Henderson taking the prestigious Open Shearing Championship title.

Veteran shearer and commentator Digger Balme of Ōtorohanga told The News it was a weekend of upsets

“There were some big names that didn’t make the [Open Shearing] finals, including Jack Fagan and defending champ, Leon Samuels, and Roland Smith [eight-time winner] was knocked out in the semi-finals.

“I suppose it was a bit disappointing for the King Country region overall. We’re probably not quite as strong as we were about 10 years ago or so.”

However, Digger made the honours board.

He was in the Māori-Pakeha pairs event with Chris Dickson of Masterton.

“It was a good, fun event and we were pretty happy with second.”

The North Island West team, featuring Te Kūiti’s Jack Fagan and Taelor Tarrant (Mapiu) won the Regional Challenge. However, the New Zealand team (which also included Jack) was beaten by their Aussie rivals in the Trans-Tasman Shearing Test.

“The Test was pretty tough and the Aussies probably had a stronger team than usual,” Fagan said. “But Taelor and I won as ‘team King Country’, so that was pretty awesome.”

Despite claiming a major prize across the ditch recently, Fagan had to settle for fourth in the Open Speedshear as hometown hero, Masterton’s Chris Dickson, sailed home leaving all others in his wake.

“To be honest, fourth is not even worth me commenting on, so it’s probably best not to write anything about it,” Fagan said.

King Country and Waipā results from the event:

Shearing - Golden Shears Senior final: Aiden Tarrant (Mapiu) – fifth. Intermediate final: Sarah Bryant (Arohena/Te Awamutu) – fourth. Shearing teams, Regional Challenge: North Island West, Jack Fagan (Te Kūiti) and Taelor Tarrant (Mapiu) – first. Māori Pakeha Teams Event: Digger Balme (Ōtorohanga) with Chris Dixon (Masterton) – second. Māori Pakeha Teams Event: Clay Harris (Aira) with Simon Goss (Mangamahu) – fourth. Student Shearing Challenge: Otiwhiti farming school (including Ngahuia Salmond, Te Kūiti) – sixth.

Woolhandling - North Island Woolhandling Circuit final: Keryn Herbert (Te Kuiti) – first. Golden Shears Open final: Vinniye Phillips (Taumarunui) – fourth. Les Field Memorial Trophy Best Quality points in woolhandling heats, senior – Kelly Barrett (Kawhia).

Herbert’s ‘special’ Masterton win

When the chips are up (and flying), Taumarunui’s Jack Jordan is expected to, yet again, cut the competition down to size during the annual Rural Games in Feilding next month.

The Timbersports world champ will be going for glory as the pride of the country competes in a diverse range of events, from the traditional to the avant-garde, including speed shearing, fencing and harness racing, as well as gumboot and cowpat throwing just to name a few.

However, unlike most of his counterparts, Jordan is up for more illustrious honours as a finalist in the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards, held as part of the festivities.

“This year’s nominations set a record for athletes and contributors,” convenor of judges, Paul Allison, said.

“The awards play a vital role in celebrating the outstanding achievements of rural sportspeople, from competitors excelling in their fields to those working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of these sports.”

In addition, accolades across further categories including a Lifetime Legacy Award, Sportsperson with a Disability Award, will be bestowed during a gala dinner on March 7.

The finalists are: Sportsman of the Year, Jack Jordan (Taumarunui) – Timbersports, Tim Garrick (Gisborne) – Fencing, Blair Orange (Rolleston) – Harness Racing. Sportswoman of the Year: Steph Dryfhout (Tauranga) – Tree Climbing, Catherine Mullooly (Gisborne) – Sheep Shearing, Samantha Ottley (Christchurch) – Harness Racing. Young Sportsperson of the Year: Rylee Ward (Cambridge) – Rodeo, Carter Dalgety (West Melton) – Harness Racing, Karaitiana Horne (Raetihi) – Motocross.

Axeman Jordan in the running

He has numerous New Zealand and Australasian titles already, but (arguably) Ōtorohanga’s fastest panel beater, Scott Coker, rates his most recent win as one of his best yet.

On Lake Karapiro last weekend, his grand prix hydroplane - named Howzat - bowled the competition over in round three of the Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Series. The win helps keep Coker’s chances to claim a series win alive.

“I’ve been racing in this series for about three or four years and, although I’ve had three or four thirds and a couple of seconds, it’s the first time I’ve won a round,” he said.

“It’s hard work as you have to be quick and reliable every time. There’s a lot more competitors these days as well, so it’s definitely more of an achievement than anything else I’ve won.”

With vessels almost literally flying, split second decisions can make the difference between triumph and tragedy with next to no margin for error.

“[Howzat] runs a 510 cubic inch, supercharged big block Chev’ with about 1300-1400 horsepower,” Coker said.

“When we’re racing, we’re moving really quick, doing about 150 miles an hour on an 1800 metre track in around 35 or 36 seconds. The race itself only lasts a few minutes, so you have your head in the game.”

Despite fast and furious races, winning on the water in his craft was only possible for Coker due to hard graft in the workshop midway through the event.

“We blew up a supercharger in one heat then had a massive oil leak in the spare engine in another.

The drive back to Ōtorohanga was not prohibitive “so we took the engines home, pulled them apart, worked all night and we were able to make one engine out of the two.”

While the setback cost Coker points in the overall series, moving from ‘blow’ to go was an achievement in itself.

“It put me out of a couple of heats, and I was the last qualifier for the final. I started on the outside but ended up winning it from the outside, which doesn’t happen that often.”

Racing since he was 18, Scott Coker (43) is riding his father’s wake to some degree – Selwyn Coker is also a veteran of the sport.

“I was only about four days old when I first went to watch Dad, so I’ve been around the sport my whole life. He had some wins that are right up there – he was very competitive in the early ‘90s then had an accident, had some time out and came back in the early 2000s. Dad’s retired now and spends all his time helping me out.”

Considering the high speeds achieved, the sport is not just dangerous, it can be fatal. However, safety measures have improved.

“When Dad had his accident, the equipment wasn’t as good. We’re now fully enclosed and on air, so if we hang upside down, we can still breathe, and we have great rescue craft. It might look dangerous, but it’s pretty safe. I spun the boat out on Sunday while doing about 130 miles an hour and I got out of it just fine.”

It’s not a team sport as such, but having the right crew – including his dad as crew chief and his radioman, Garry Denham – is essential, Coker adds.

He said he had also been helped out over the years by sponsors.

The first three rounds were held close to home for Coker lakes Maraetai and Karapiro. The South Island hosts the final two instalments of the Hydro Thunder Series next month.

Sitting in sixth out of 10 overall, Coker concedes a series win is unlikely, but as points gained in the heats go towards final standings, there’s still plenty more water to flow under this bridge.

Coker goes from blow to go

Te Kūiti shearer Jack Fagan has won world shearing’s richest cash prize.

Fagan won a little over $22,000 and the Laurie Evans Trophy after beating a field stacked with shearers from both sides of the Tasman.

The final of the Oberon Quick Shear in New South Wales was a noisy – and quick – affair.

Fagan’s shear was completed in just 19.78 seconds – as torrential rain fell on the roof of the open side shearing board.

The event was a highlight of the Oberon Show, about 50km south of Bathurst and 180km west of Sydney.

The sheep were composite lambs aged about six months, weighing an average of 35kg.

The win also includes a trip to Wales with the Wagga Wagga Speed Shear team. Fagan shore in Wales last July after winning the Wagga Wagga event three months earlier.

Otorohanga’s Sonya Fagan was among the winners at last weekend’s Aria Show – she won the junior shearing event and Keahrey Manson (Piopio) won the intermediate shearing.

Meanwhile, Laura Davis, who grew up on a farm in Piopio, is one of eight finalists in the Waikato Bay of Plenty young farmers regional final to be held at Waerenga School, east of Te Kauwhata, on Saturday

Davis studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University before starting work as a farm technician at Goudies Station in Reporoa.

She progressed to become stock manager on Sexton at Taupo, then transitioned into agribusiness as a territory sales manager at Agricom. Davis now works with Beef and Lamb New Zealand as an Extension Manager and is based in Hamilton. Her long term goal is to own land outside the city while continuing to contribute to the agricultural industry.

Cash quick as a flash for Fagan

Ōwhango-raised Chiefs and All Blacks lock Josh Lord is fizzing for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season after several injury setbacks.

The Taumarunui tall timber is one of three King Country connections in the squad, alongside Ōtorohanga’s Cortez Ratima – born and brought up in Piopio - and wider squad member Dylan Eti who plays for Hautapu in Cambridge but is also from Ōtorohanga.

Lord, 24, said he was looking forward to playing rugby again following his appearance for the All Blacks against Japan on their northern tour last year.

“I’ve had a few injuries across the last few years. So, touch wood I can get through a few games, play a few in a row, and hopefully look forward to competing for the title.

“The body is feeling good. I came in a little bit earlier just to keep the body moving and not slowing down. My mind’s feeling pretty good too. I had a nice break, so I’m freshened up.”

Lord has connections to most of the Chiefs provinces and wearing the jersey is special to him.

“You’re representing yourself, your family and friends as well as the coaches and everyone who’s helped you along the journey,” he said.

“But at the same time, you’re just looking after the jersey for one game. You’ve got to leave it in a better spot for the next week.

“I’ve probably got a little bit of a connection to all the regions, but home is always Taumarunui.”

He was born on the North Shore but the farming and skiing settlement of Ōwhango is where his family roots are.

“Ōwhango is only little but everyone knows everyone and they’re tight knit. It’s a nice place.”

His family still live there.

“I’d say they’ll be there for a long time.”

His father Matt, born in Taumarunui represented Thames Valley, North Harbour, the Blues and Northampton Saints, where he finished his career in 2009.

“After that finished, he headed home to the farm with my granddad and has been there since we moved back to New Zealand.”

Attending the 50 student Ōwhango Primary School at first, Lord then moved to Turaki Primary School in Taumarunui for Year 7 and 8.

“They had about 200 students at the time. My parents moved me to get used to a bigger school before I went to Hamilton Boys’ High School, which had 2500 - that was a bit of a shock to the system.”

After leaving school, the Taranaki National Provincial Championship (NPC) side gave him a chance in 2019.

From there, he skyrocketed into the Chiefs and All Blacks squads making his first appearances for both in 2021. His New Zealand debut came in the 104-14 drubbing of the United States in Washington.

“Every debut has been special but obviously the All Blacks is always the pinnacle. It’s something you strive towards every year and something you want to have a crack at since you were a kid,” Lord said.

When he returned from injury in 2023, he turned out for the Taumarunui Districts Rugby Club.

That was his first time playing rugby in his hometown for a decade.

“I was lucky enough to go home. My old man was coaching at the time, which was cool.

“I got the chance to play with a lot of old primary school mates and boys that I grew up around. That was special.”

With many highlights in his career to date, and many more to come, Lord certainly hasn’t forgotten his roots.

Representing his hometown and his country means the world to him.

“At NPC level, winning the Ranfurly Shield is a special highlight. It’s hard to take away something like that and what it offers to the community,” he said.

“But the All Blacks is always on top. That All Blacks dream is hard to comprehend how it compares to anything else.

“Playing for Taumarunui has got to be a close third - that was really special and close to my heart.

‘It’s always in the back of my mind; it would be wicked to go home towards the end of my career to play a few games for King Country and Taumarunui. Then maybe help with community rugby.

“It’s definitely something I want to achieve before I finish up,” said Lord.

Refreshed Lord ready

A mystery adventure race that annually transforms Lake Te Koo Utu in Cambridge into a haven for mums, dads and children attracted 473 participants this year.

The XRace, held on a humid Friday afternoon last week, took competitors an average of one hour, seven minutes 17 seconds to complete.

The Korakonui duo of daughter Gemma and father Grant Honeyfield blitzed the field, completing the 10 mystery challenges in just 43 minutes and 18 seconds.

The New Zealand Home Loans-sponsored event which started in 2013, was created by Shane Hooks of Auckland. It went through many name changes before XRace was finalised.

This mystery adventure race pairs parents with children aged 6-14 to race together, locate and complete mystery challenges, and compete against the clock and other family teams. The challenges range from physical (like tug-of-war) to mental (like memory challenges) to knowledge-based (like music challenges), and they change from year to year and course to course.

No two XRaces are the same. Events are held in Whangārei, Devonport, Tauranga, Taupō, Napier, Hutt City, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Hamilton, and Auckland.

Medals this year in Cambridge were presented by New Zealand representatives Zack Rumble (rowing), Bennett Greenough (BMX), Danielle Aitchison (Paralympian sprinter) and Becky Leigh (rowing).

Results:

Overall winners: daughter and father - Gemma and Grant Honeyfield (Korakonui), son and father - Harris and Adam O’Leary (Cambridge), daughter and mother - Jamie and Caitlyn Phillips (Hamilton).

Age Divisions

Junior (under 7) girls Zoe Gerritsen 1h4s, boys Marlow McDonald 56m44s, 8 year old girls Leina Kaelin 1h2m57s, boys Sam Panting 57m19s, 9 year old girls Chloe Blackstock 55m, boys Cian Moore 46m42s, 10 year old girls Charlotte Tate 50m21s, boys Harris O’Leary 43m25s, 11 year old girls Sophie Hickey 54m14s, boys Connor Moore 46m39s, senior girls Gemma Honeyfield 43m19s, boys Alex Simmonds 48m56s.



 

Honeyfields show X Factor?

The former Waipā Racing Club’s 34ha course in Te Awamutu could soon be on the market as the biggest search for racecourse land in more than a century gets underway.

Within eight to 12 years – all going to plan – 145ha of prime Waikato land in Hamilton, Cambridge and Te Awamutu owned by Waikato Thoroughbred Racing will be sold for residential and commercial development.

In their place, the super club - born out of a merger between Te Rapa, Cambridge and Waipā racing clubs two years ago - will have a new greenfield site somewhere in the Waikato.

On the market will go land in Te Awamutu where Waipā Racing Club used to race but is now a training facility used by 120 horses on a regular basis. Its underlying residential zone makes it prime for housing.

It would be the first to go given courses at Cambridge and Te Rapa would still be needed for racing.

Waikato Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Andrew ‘Butch’ Castles said the development would be industry shaping and defining for generations to come.

“Whatever decision we make will have a massive impact on future generations that look to pursue a recreational interest or a professional interest in racing in the area,” says Castles.

Horse racing in the Waikato is a $505 million industry employing more than 6200 people

Waikato Thoroughbred Racing’s chief executive knows he has a big job ahead of him but having passed the first hurdle – a vote by members last year to investigate a single fit-for-purpose site for racing and training in the Waikato – he has the bit between his teeth.

“We want to flush out some property that hasn’t been considered (for racing),” he says.

Hamilton rural specialist Peter Kelly has the task of finding between 125-200ha in a triangle starting north of Hamilton, down to Te Awamutu and across to Cambridge.

“There are some pieces of land that tick a number of boxes that are not quite in that area, but close to it,” says Castles.

“It’s really a matter of making sure that horses, people, race day guests and everyone have the best way possible of getting there.

“You wouldn’t want to be down a long narrow road, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be off the Waikato Expressway. Transport links are important but there are a number of other criteria.

“I’m not sure we will find everything that ticks every box, but it will be weighted, we’ll look for the best one that ticks the most boxes and fits the most criteria.”



Tenders will be considered next month and the final proposal back to members for a special meeting in September.

If approved, then the clock starts ticking.

The 61ha in Cambridge is already subject to what Castles calls “urban creep” – housing developments are eating into land and roads where once horses were king, but which now compete with speeding cars down Racecourse Road.

Cambridge is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest thoroughbred training centre with 1200 horses regularly at work on the synthetic track – opened in 2021 – and 60-70 licence holders.

Any new facility would have to cater for them. Castles says 150-200ha would have trainer allotments as part of the development.

Very few horses train at Te Rapa and its 50ha – down from the original 160ha purchased in the 1920s - comprises 6.5ha of mixed use residential and the rest major facilities.

The venue holds 20 race days a year, its track is one of the best in the country and the international grandstand has hosted patrons who watch the country’s best thoroughbreds.

There are detractors to the greenfields’ plan who have yet to show their hands.

“This is bigger than just Waikato thoroughbred racing, this is an industry decision,” says Castles.

“Financially it will be too big for us to deal with on our own so we will need support from all sorts of industry bodies. The ideal would be that we go ahead with the support of the whole industry.”

But first… find the right piece of land.

“That’s why we’re doing it in this fashion. It’s all very well to have flash drawings, vision and ideas but there’s no point in finding the right piece of land and finding out it can’t be consented to race on.”

Racecourse land may sell

Chris Gardner

The Waikato’s only sea scout group has received Royal New Zealand Navy recognition.

Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s Scout Group, which trains and sails Scout Standard Cutters and Sunbursts on lakes Karāpiro, Ngā Roto, Rotoroa, and Taupo, received naval recognition after meeting the highest standards of scouting and seamanship.

The navy recognition standards reflect those expected of the Sea Cadet Forces and naval training establishments and is only awarded to the top 15 scout groups in the country.

The group was formed in 2022 when Kirikiriroa Scout Group’s meeting place was demolished to make way for emergency housing, leading it to partner with St Peter’s Sea Scout Group. Since then, it has become one of the largest and fastest growing groups in the country.

“Naval recognition is an amazing achievement, especially as the majority of the group had little to no seamanship experience when the two groups partnered in 2022,” said Chris Gardner, a group leader of Kirikiriroa and St Peter’s Scout Group and a journalist working for The News.

“Our youth have worked very hard to improve their boating, paddling, water safety and complementary emergency skills over that time.”

The group leader for kea and cubs, Scott Aitken, said the recognition reflected the ongoing passion and commitment of the group’s kaiārahi (adult leaders) to enable youth to succeed despite adversity.

“I believe we are the only landlocked sea scout group in Aotearoa, sailing on Lake Rotoroa in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. This comes with its own set of challenges relating to water quality and access issues. All have been overcome through remarkable leadership and vision within the group.”

Scouts Aotearoa Waikato Zone water activities advisor Dave Smith described the achievement as “wonderful news”.

“Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s has worked tirelessly to get youth afloat,” he said.

“Both youth and kaiārahi alike, have upskilled themselves in sailing, rowing, kayaking, powerboating and seamanship, gained multiple scout and professional qualifications, attended regattas, and been involved in the updating the group’s fleet of boats,” he added.

Scouts and venturers won the Senior Scout Standard Cutter Trophy at the 2023 Scouts Aotearoa Northland Zone Regatta after crossing the finish line in a cutter borrowed from Shackleton Sea Scout Group in Whangārei. Both of Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s cutters had failed swamp tests after their buoyancy tanks had sprung a leak and taken on water.

Last year Kirikiriroa & St Peter’s with Putaruru Scout Group took home the Senior Seamanship Trophy from Kai Iwi Lakes.

Since then the group has raised funds through sponsorship to buy two new cutters which were launched last year.

“Being one of only 15 scout groups to be awarded Royal New Zealand Navy Recognition nationally is a testament to the group’s hard mahi and dedication,” Smith said.

The group will be presented with a Commander of the Navy Naval Recognition pennant and its youth and Kaiārahi can wear the Scouting New Zealand Naval Recognition badge.

The group is one of the largest, and fastest growing, in the country.

Landlocked scouts celebrate

Erina Wehi-Barton is excited about the prospects of a growth in waka ama involvement following a record entry of King Country paddlers competing in the national champs at Lake Karāpiro this week.

Nine teams from the Maniapoto branch of the Aratika Water Sports Club club – up from three last year – were lakeside.

“It’s the intensity now. All the kids want to paddle,” said Wehi-Barton whose iwi affiliations are Ngāti Rereahu - Maniapoto - Waikato - Rarua - Tūwharetoa - Te Atiawa.

The club has 56 paddlers with the youngest – Parakau Mulligan-Green, 6, of Te Kūiti – making his debut on Sunday after a pōwhiri from Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā iwi.

The lack of suitable training facilities in Te Kūiti does not hamper members – they head west to Awakino instead and rely on iwi and whānau for ongoing support.

Last year the younger members of the club went to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands to compete and came home with six gold, three silver and six bronze medals.

“Waka ama caters for the entire whānau – from babies, siblings, kaumatua, everyone,” said Wehi-Barton, a mātauranga (traditional) researcher who has spent the last 10 years establishing rangatahi/whānau initiatives and observing the behaviours of awa and tuna.

Her doctorate studies are focusing on the economic benefits of using her knowledge of the moon phases and soil for the betterment of her people.

Meanwhile a woman described as the “queen of waka ama” was honoured during an emotional pōwhiri at the start of the week-long sprint championships at Lake Karāpiro on Sunday.

Members of Kiwi Campbell’s whānau including people from Waipā, Waikato and King Country were present as several speakers recalled the Gisborne woman’s contribution to the sport.

Campbell, 43, a competitor, coach and administrator from the Horouta Waka Hoe Club - and a regular visitor to Karāpiro - died last November.

Four years ago, the mother of two boys Mairangi and Maia, and wife of Bruce Campbell, was inducted into Waka Ama New Zealand’s virtual hall of fame for her outstanding contribution to the sport.

With a spine-tingling call, fellow club member Cynthia Sidney led the visiting teams towards Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā iwi, waka ama officials and local competitors.

Just over two hours later, the Tamariki pools got underway highlighting the phenomenal growth of waka ama since Mareikura, the first club in New Zealand, was established in Gisborne in 1985 followed five years later by the first national outrigger canoe paddling champs at Karāpiro.

A record 3868 competitors and twice as many spectators are at the lake all week and more than 1400 of them are aged 13 years and under.

Competitors have come from throughout New Zealand with internationals from Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, United Kingdom and Australia.

Campbell’s aunty Liz Reedy of Hamilton said her niece’s death came as a shock to her whānau. Seeing how highly people involved in the sport valued her involvement was emotional, she said.

Campbell had recently joined the Waka Ama board adding to her significant achievements competing on the water and coaching off it.

'All the kids want to paddle'

Cambridge harness racing legend Nicky Chilcott is on the cusp of another personal milestone.

The 53-year-old veteran trainer needs one driving win to notch up 700 wins in the sulky, cementing her place as the country’s second best female driver.

She brought up 699 last week at the Cambridge Raceway in race three driving favourite Showtym Girl and had a chance to bring up the milestone in race eight behind Idolou but was well beaten.

Chilcott doesn’t have a drive tomorrow night (Friday) at her home track on Cambridge Raceway, but will be in action at Otaki next week.

The 700 total will be 121 short of South Island-based Samantha Ottley’s mark and well behind the only drivers to have more than 3000 career wins – Te Awamutu’s Tony Herlihy (3693), Maurice McKendry (3410) and Ricky May (3146).

“To be honest I’m not a numbers’ person,” said Chilcott. “I’m pretty proud of the achievement though.”

From 7902 starts since her first win behind Local Choice at Auckland on July 2, 1993, she has notched up 699 wins, 760 seconds and 746 third placings for stake money of $5.342 million.

She is also in the exclusive 500 trainers’ club with 558 wins from 4945 starts.

Chilcott doubts she will get to 800 driving wins but reckons she still has another 10-15 years in the sulky ahead of her mostly driving the horses she trains.

“I’m starting to slow down, and I don’t freelance anymore. I used to actively ring around for drives, but I don’t anymore.”

She has 22 horses in her White Star Stables next to the Cambridge Raceway and Village Rebel is arguably the best in what she describes as a “bread and butter” crop.

“I don’t have stars as such but we’re ticking away nicely.”

One of them is Messenger Buoy who won an emotional race on December 19 driven by Leah Hibell. Ten days earlier, part owner Alan Messenger of Taranaki died and his fellow owners – wife Lyn and daughter Maree – were on hand to see the win.

Chilcott has one horse entered tomorrow night – Blazing Louie in race seven – but Andre Poutama usually drives the six year old gelding.

Meetings on the grass in Otaki on Sunday and Tuesday loom as the likely opportunities for Chilcott to bring up the milestone.

It is one her favourite tracks and she is taking down a team of 10 to compete at its first full race meeting since the pandemic.

“I’ve had some good results there over the years so that will be a good place to do it,” said Chilcott.

Chilcott nears 700

It was an early start for the Otewa School team who hit the road for the Tryathlon at Cambridge on Sunday at 6am but well worth the effort, says one of the parents who accompanied them.

Susie Woodward’s four children Kylie, 14, John, 12, Jack, 10 and Charlie, 7, all completed the Weetbix-sponsored event at St Peter’s School in Cambridge.

Isabelle Hepburn, 11, also from Otewa School 10km northeast of Ōtorohanga, was competing in her fifth Tryathlon and third this year.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she told The News.

Susie said everyone enjoyed having breakfast before the racing.

“Our last kid started racing at 11.05am so they all did well to cheer each other on.”

Principal Carolyn Roberts and teacher Annie Vandy were also part of the support crew.

Otewa travelled to the venue via Leamington and Cambridge and avoided long Waikato Expressway queues from the north.

A post-event review will be held to work out how to improve access and transit times to a huge competition at a Cambridge venue which resulted in long Waikato Expressway queues on Sunday.

The Weetbix Tryathlon attracted 2012 children aged 6-15 years to St Peter’s School on the western outskirts of Cambridge but the bulk of them used the Expressway to get there and the queues were described by many as horrendous.

Parents spoken to by The News said the biggest log jam came for south bound traffic at the first Cambridge turnoff rather than the Hautapu one.

Entrants were encouraged to get there early – the venue opened at 7am and a transition area for bicycles closed at 8.15am. The first races got underway at 9am.

Sanitarium NZ general manager Michael Barton said he understood some families experienced delays.

“We understand that despite every effort taken to prepare attendees for possible traffic impacts for the new venue, some families still experienced minor delays on the day.

“Although frustrating for those impacted, the event ran as planned and Sanitarium has received significant positive feedback from attendees and participants who shared they had a great time.”

Hamilton competitors dominated the entries with 45 per cent – about 900 – followed by Cambridge, Tamahere, Te Awamutu, Morrinsville, Matamata and Ōhaupō. There was even a contingent of 32 from Auckland.

This was the first year St Peter’s had hosted the Hamilton leg. Before that it was held at Waikato University but the closure of the pool there prompted organisers go look for another venue.

St Peter’s was chosen as the next best venue.

Since the event started in 1992, the event has attracted half a million participants.

Organisers worked with the school and traffic control staff to plan and manage the flow of traffic. They created digital display boards, told people to expect delays and allocated a large parking area adjacent to the school for parking.

“As part of our standard processes we will work with our event planning and execution partners to consider additional ways that access and transit times could potentially be improved should we explore returning to this venue in the future,” said Barton.

Try time for Otewa

Bowlers have raised $1100 for Te Awamutu’s Riding for the Disabled organisation.

Kihikihi Bowling Club’s latest tournament – won by a Te Kūiti combination - was a departure from the norm, in that all proceeds from the day were donated.

Representatives from the RDA attended the prize giving and co-ordinator Rosalie Rea spoke about the role of the riding for the disabled in the community.

The organisation also has a branch in Ōtorohanga which will be fundraising at the Artbeat even in town this weekend. Bowlers also came to the party with individual donations – and the return of prize money into the pool.

The tournament attracted a bowlers from throughout the Waikato and King Country and the results indicated the level of competition out on the green with only one team managing four wins from four and three finishing with three wins and a draw.

The winners were the Te Kuiti team of Kevin Higgins (skip), Steve Woods and Peter Lange. Second place went to a Kihikihi team of Owen Johnston (skip), Irving Garrett and Don Millin. Cambridge Central’s Robbie Davidson (skip), Ron Greenwood and Craig Pilkington were third.

Bowlers ride to the rescue

Triple world-title holder axeman Jack Jordan is in France chasing one title that has eluded his swing – the World Championship.

Taumarunui’s Jordan achieved the sport’s first-ever three-peat last year winning the World Trophy – held annually in Europe and described as the 20/20 cricket of international wood chopping.

Now in Toulouse, France, this weekend Jordan is trying to knock off the elusive World Championship - a more traditional, long-form format across six different wood-chopping and sawing disciplines against a 12 strong international field.

“Perhaps I’ll have a bit of a target on my back coming off my three-peat success, but I’m very well prepared this year and will be giving it a bloody good crack to bring that World Championship title back to Kirikau,” he said.

Kirikau, south west of Taumarunui, is where Jordan 28, runs the family sheep and beef farm.

Jordan eyes world championship

Andy Campbell

One of the heroes of King Country’s dramatic Lochore Cup win over West Coast last month has his fingers crossed about his left knee.

Zac Wickham-Darlington’s biggest game ended early on October 20 as he twisted the knee going into a first half tackle – and it looked as though the injury could be serious.

But Wickham-Darlington is hoping to get word soon that he faces recovery spell of just six weeks – meaning a “big off season rehab” which sees him ready for the start of next season.

The injury cost Wickham-Darlington a chance of Heartland XV selection – and he has set that as a target for 2025.

“It wasn’t the tackle that actually did the damage - I did a left foot step immediately before going into the tackle, so it was just off a side step,” he explained.

The two West Coast players heard him cry out in pain and immediately got off him, something he acknowledged.

“We’ve always had a good relationship with those fellas - probably one of the most respectful teams we’ve come up against, year after year,” he said.

Wickham-Darlington spent the rest of the game in a knee brace on the sideline as the Rams took the cup in extra time 46-44.

He made it to the after match, where it was found the Lochore Cup topped out with the beer from three stubbies.

“I was walking at the after match. I was still walking around for the most part of it. It was an awesome night, a lot of the boys stayed together later and went back to one of boys houses to carry on.”

Wickham-Darlington moved from Te Kūiti to Hamilton about three years ago – but continues to play for Bush in the King Country club competition.

He is a social worker in Hamilton working with young offenders, and is often in court for them. He also assists with their rehabilitation – everything from helping them into work to assisting them obtain their driving licences.

His season with King Country came to an abrupt end – and had a hiccough in between.

Wife Shelley – Shelz - gave birth to their daughter Brisbyn in mid-September and for three weeks beforehand the midwife was worried baby could come at any minute.

“It affected my away trips, basically two Wickhgames out… I couldn’t play because I was worried if I left I would miss out.”

Wickham-Darlington learned his rugby at Hamilton Boys High School and New Plymouth Boys High.

The family had moved back to Te Kūiti when he accepted a rugby scholarship at New Plymouth. It was a timely offer because it saved his parents the issue of juggling transport for schooling in Hamilton.

In 2015, in Year 10, Darlington was playing for New Plymouth Boys High, then continued his education at Hamilton Boys High. His plans for next season are to continue wearing the Bush colours, get back into the King Country team “and make a good solid effort to get into that NZ Heartland team next year.” Teammates Kristian Gent-Standen and Kaleb Foote represented the province in this season’s team.

Zac plans summer rehab

By Andy McGechan
New Zealand made its debut appearance this season at the women’s section of the International Six Days Enduro, held in Spain, and impressed many at this huge gathering of the motorcycling world elite.
The three-rider New Zealand women’s contingent that battled in the Women’s World Trophy (WWT) teams’ class – Ngaroma’s Rachael Archer (Kawasaki) joined by Tapanui’s Kylie Dorr (Beta) and Opunake’s Taylar Rampton (Husqvarna) – managed a few jaw-dropping results on their way to finishing 10th overall in their first appearance at this massive annual dirt-biking marathon.
Archer was the stand-out for the New Zealanders. She finished overall runner-up among the women, just under three minutes behind United States team rider Brandy Richards after an incredible six days of brutal racing in the Galicia region, on the Atlantic coastline in the north-western of Spain.
Archer managed to tap into any left-over reserves of energy to significantly cut her deficit to Richards on the final day, which featured a motocross, an aspect of off-road motorcycle racing that is considered faster but arguably less technical.
The rider who finished the enduro third overall in the women’s rankings was Australia’s Jessica Gardiner, ending the event just a little under five minutes behind the hard-charging Archer.
Archer was not only overall runner-up in the individual standings for the women, but also she wound up an astonishing 54th overall (when ranked alongside the men. More than 570 riders in total were at the event.
“It felt good to win a special test (a tightly timed sprint section) at this event,” said Archer. “I felt like I rode decent and didn’t crash, so put in a solid ride.
“I didn’t really set any goals or expectations for myself coming into the week. I just wanted to learn and gain as much experience as I could. I feel like I’ve done that and also shown some speed.”
Dorr was meanwhile classified 28th individual in the WWT class (and also finished 129th overall alongside the men). Rampton dropped out after day five with an injury, but was still credited with finishing 30th overall among the women.
“New Zealand team manager Justin Stevenson said it was “not the dream result for Team New Zealand - but close”.
Team France won the premier World Trophy (WT) class ahead of the United States and Spain. In the Junior World Trophy (JWT) class, Team Sweden won ahead of France and the United States.
There was no Kiwi men’s team entered this season.

Sport

Silver lining

Legal

Terms

Privacy

King Country News

About

Contact

King Country News, King Country Farmer and the King Country App are independently owned and published by Good Local Media Ltd – also publishers of the Te Awamutu News, Cambridge News and Waikato Business News.