Golden Shears - Flash
Golden Shears - Flash
It'll be the veterans versus the young bucks as three of the Golden Shears most regular open finalists are tackled by two newcomers in the 20-sheep Open final in Masterton tonight.
Top qualifier, event favourite and 2002 and 2008 winner John Kirkpatrick, of Napier, is into the final for the 14th time in 15 years, and the last two in the six are Te Kuiti veterans Dean Ball and David Fagan. Ball has qualified for the 13th time, having previously filled all of the placings, except first. Fagan has won 16 times, and is into the final for the 25th time since his first in 1984.
It will be the first Golden Shears Open final for second-man-in Adam Brausch, of Dannevirke, who has won just two senior finals in seven years trying around the country at the top level, and Far North shearer Rowland Smith, rated a top chance with two recent wins over Kirkpatrick and Fagan.
The other qualifiersx if 2006 winner and five-times finalist Dion King, of Hastings.
The final is set to start just after 9pm and the fastest man is expected to take 16-17 minutes.
ENDS