The two shearers who dominated the lower grades of last year's Golden Shears will go to the wire in this year's championships after qualifying for their respective finals today.
Shearing in the Intermediate semifinals yesterday on the second day of the three-day 53rd Golden Shears, Dipton shearer Andrew Leith was top qualifier for the final, while last year's Novice champion, Te Kuiti teenager Josh Balme, is one of the six to qualify for today's Junior final.
Balme qualified in fifth place on a list headed by Kaeo teenager Marshall Guy, aiming to follow in the footsteps of brothers Bevan, Bryce and Charlie, who have all won Golden Shears lower-grade finals. Eketahuna's Kim Sowry heads the qualifiers for the Senior woolhandling semifinals.
Results
Shearing:
Intermediate (qualifiers for the final to be shorn on Saturday afternoon): Andrew Leith (Dipton), Phoenix Hawkins (Ashburton/Martinborough), Gavin Kelly (Taihape), Scott Speed (Australia), David Gordon (Masterton), Simon Goss (Kimbolton).
