Rookie gives Golden Shears a nudge in first competition

Rookie presser gives Golden Shears a nudge in first competition

A rookie competition woolpresser from Hastings came close to breaking a Golden Shears dynasty when he reached the final of the men’s woolpressing in Masterton tonight.

Although he’s 43 and “grew-up in the woolsheds,” Ronnie Eriha never considered pressing bales of wool could be a sport until he was pushed, competing for the first time on Thursday and being in the Golden Shears final less than 30 hours later.

He knew he was up against it – fellow finalist Jertmy Goodger, of Masterton, had won the title 11 times since 2002, including nine times in a row until last year when it was won by brother Vinnie.

In a contest involving speed, strength and precision, Eriha was beaten for time, pulled back some of the points deficit by pressing his bale just 2.5kg over the target of 170kg, but ultimately had to settle for second place.

He said afterwards he gave up working in the woolsheds for 13 years and worked in factories for 13 years – at Whakatu Petfoods and at Wattie’s.

Having had enough of it, he was at home one day on the couch when the chance to get back to woolpressing came-up. He grabbed it, and he said:: “Now I’ve realised I should have stayed there in the first place.”

Boss Colin Watson Paul, of Hastings contaractors ShearingNZ, reckoned he was “pretty good” and pushed him to consider competing.

He started doing things he never thought possible, like running a 10km leg in the IronMaori, but he didn’t like the ide of woollpressing in fron of crowd.

“To me it was a job,” he said.

But his confidence began to grow from this Tuesday when he went to a competition woolpressing course, and for the first time met the master Goodger, one of the instructors.

The last word went to Goodger, who said after being named the winner congratulated Eriha, and said he looked forward to seeing him at the Golden Shears again next year.

Goodger won for a 12th time, Fiona Healey, of Masterton, won the women’s woolpressing title for an 8th time, but there were new champions in the pairs, win Willie Kilioni and Conan Gray, also of Masterton.;

http://www.goldenshears.co.nz/the-2015-event/2015-press/

ENDS

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