Fencer posts top score at worlds

Shane Bouskill is the new world farm fencing champion after winning the title in Germany at the weekend.

Hawke's Bay farm fencer Shane Bouskill has found the ideal way to make up for missing out on completing a hat-trick of national titles. He's now the world champion.

Bouskill, the fencing instructor at the Smedley Cadet training farm near Tikokino, last week finished fifth in the final of the Golden Pliers at the National Farm Fieldays, having won the title at the 150th anniversary Hawke's Bay A&P Show in 2013 and again at Mystery Creek last year.

But he headed straight from his unsuccessful defence to Europe where he won the 13th Patura World Cup in Zaunbauen, Germany, defending a proud record in the event which Southern Hawke's Bay farmer and 14-times Golden Pliers champion Paul van Beers won in 2001 and 2012.

Still in Europe, Bouskill was unable to be contacted yesterday, but the Patura website said he had beaten a field of fencers from nine countries.

"Not only strength and speed were asked, but above all sleight of hand, a sense of proportion and not least great care," said a translated version of a Patura statement after the event in which each each competitor built a 70m electric fence, with three wires, with points awarded by an international panel based on time and the quality of the footing, posting, battening, and wiring.

The 44-year-old Bouskill's miss in the race for the major prize in the Golden Pliers, the first time it had not been won by a Hawke's Bay competitor since 2009, was balanced by the performance of son Tony, who was third, behind first-time winner Tim Stafford, of Marton.

As a pair, the father and son had already finished second in the Silver Spades final, which was won by Mark Lambert, of Bulls, and Jeff Joines, of Paraparaumu.

Two Bouskill proteges were third and fourth in the Bill Schuler Consolation final, for up-and-coming competitors who had not reached the Golden Pliers showdown.

They were third placegetter Wilton Weeks, a second-year Smedley cadet from Featherston and sometimes a pairs competition partner of Shane Bouskill, and former Smedley cadet and fourth placegetter Jack Richardson, from Waipawa.

It was won by Mike Billinghurst, of Feilding.

Results of the National Farm Fencing Championships during Field Days at Mystery Creek:
Golden Pliers (singles): Tim Stafford (Marton) 1, Jeff Joines (Paraparaumu) 2, Tony Bouskill (Hawke's Bay) 3, Mark Lambert (Bulls) 4, Shane Bouskill (Tikokino) 5, Matt Jones (Levin) 6, Jason van Beers (Porangahau) 7, Nick Liefting (Pukekohe) 8.

Silver Spades (pairs): Mark Lambert (Bulls) and Jeff Joines (Paraparaumu) 1, Shane and Tony Bouskill (Tikokino) 2, Matt Jones (Levin) and Tim Stafford (Marton) 3.

Bill Schuler Consolation (novice): Mike Billinghurst (Feilding) 1, Tom Dingle (-) 2, Wilton Weeks (Featherston) 3, Jack Richardson (Waipawa) 4.