The temperature is rising in Balclutha and so are the big names as an all-star quintet is set to battle it out in this afternoon's Open Shearing Final.
Southland's Troy Pyper, Nathan Stratford and Darin Forde will face-off against northern invaders Hamish Mitchell (Scotland) and Ivan Scott (Ireland) just four days out from the start of the 2017 World Shearing and woolhandling Championships in Invercargill.
Pyper was electric in the 10-sheep semi-final, finishing fastest in 10'41 to hold off New Zealand World Championship team member Stratford by just 1.6 points to enter the final as top seed.
Scott has also been in electric form, finishing in 10'45 and said afterwards he needed to be fast as he claimed the final place in the finale alongside his northern colleague Mitchell who continues his consistent showing since arriving in the south to prepare for next week's Championships.
Forde continues to impress, losing nothing against his younger counterparts and adds yet another final to his incredible resume.
This afternoon looms as a perfect prelude to next week's World Championships.
Southland's Troy Pyper, Nathan Stratford and Darin Forde will face-off against northern invaders Hamish Mitchell (Scotland) and Ivan Scott (Ireland) just four days out from the start of the 2017 World Shearing and woolhandling Championships in Invercargill.
Pyper was electric in the 10-sheep semi-final, finishing fastest in 10'41 to hold off New Zealand World Championship team member Stratford by just 1.6 points to enter the final as top seed.
Scott has also been in electric form, finishing in 10'45 and said afterwards he needed to be fast as he claimed the final place in the finale alongside his northern colleague Mitchell who continues his consistent showing since arriving in the south to prepare for next week's Championships.
Forde continues to impress, losing nothing against his younger counterparts and adds yet another final to his incredible resume.
This afternoon looms as a perfect prelude to next week's World Championships.
