Samuels wins second Te Puna Speedshear
Marton shearer Jimmy Samuels bounced back from the disappointment of his demise in one speedshear on Friday to claim his
second Te Puna Speedshear Open title near Tauranga on Saturday night.
The 18th annual event was held in the carpark of Te Puna’s Top Shot Bar, where Samuels shore his final lamb in 15.35
seconds, over half a second quicker than the 15.92 seconds he shore in winning the final last year but still short of
the sub-15 seconds sought by the eight in the final showdown.
Highlighting the keen competition were runner-up Floyd Neil, of Taumarunui, shearing 15.8 seconds, and Jack Fagan, of Te
Kuiti, third with a time of 16.01seconds.
Masterton shearer Paerata Abraham had to settle for fifth, unable to match the pace of his Friday night win in the North
Island Speedshear Championship in Te Kuiti, where Samuels had been disqualified in the final as judges kept a tight rein
on quality in the event.
The Senior final at Te Puna was won by Waikato shearer Mel Tuhakaraina, shearing 20.31 seconds. Runner-up for the second
year in a row was Terry Midson (22.6sec) and third Craig Morton (22.73sec).
The speedshear this year doubled as a fundraiser for the Kyle Balme Assistance Dog Appeal. Kyle is the teenaged autistic
son of speedshear finalist and long-time competition and speedshear competitor Digger Balme and wife Cheryl, and needs
the especially-trained dog for security, safety and companionship.
ENDS