Masterton success at southern shears

Masterton competitors achieved notable success at the New Zealand Merino fine-wool shearing and woolhandling championships in Alexandra at the weekend.

Cushla Abraham was runner-up to world woolhandling champion Joel Henare in her debut appearance in open competition, while Kodi Hawkins won the senior woolhandling title.

Among the shearers, West Australian Damien Boyle won the New Zealand Merino title for a third year in a row.

He beat runner-up Chris Vickers, of Palmerston, by almost seven points with another seven to third placegetter Tony Coster, of Rakaia. Charlie O'Neill, who was first to finish, had to settle for fifth place overall.

The senior shearing title was won by Brett Roberts, of Mataura, the senior and the junior woolhandling title by Raylene Johnston, of Milton.

Chris Vickers becomes the third member of the New Zealand team selected for a transtasman test later this month in Warrnambool, Victoria. The other members are Angus Moore, of Ward, and John Kirkpatrick, of Napier. The woolhandling team is Sheree Alabaster, of Taihape, and Rocky Hape-Taite, of Dannevirke.