13 Oct 2009

Mixed results at trans-Tasman shearing Test

12:59 pm on 13 October 2009

New Zealand shearers and wool-handlers had mixed success in their latest trans-Tasman foray.

New Zealand's dominance of woolhandling continued with an eighth consecutive Test win in the annual home and away series, during the Australian national championships in New South Wales at the weekend.

The successful wool-handling team was Keryn Herbert of Te Awamutu, and Gisborne teenager Joel Henare.

But the New Zealand machine shearing team, Tony Coster from Rakaia, Dean Ball of Te Kuiti, and Charlie O'Neill of Alexandra, was beaten by a strong Australian line-up in their Test.

It's been 2002 since New Zealand machine shearers defeated the Australians on their home turf.

However, New Zealand dominated the blade shearing events, with Noel Handley of Rangiora and John Kennedy of Timaru, winning an unofficial test.

Kennedy also won the Australian championship final.