New Zealand’s hopes of salvaging the annual shearing test series against Wales remain alive after Jack Fagan and Hemi Braddick produced a determined victory in the third test at the Royal Welsh Show.
After losing the opening two tests at Epynt and Cothi, the New Zealand pair bounced back with a narrow 2.5-point victory, reducing Wales’ lead in the four-test series to 2-1 and setting up a winner-takes-momentum finale at the Corwen Shears in North Wales on Saturday.
The win was made even more impressive by the form of the Welsh side. Gwion Lloyd Evans and Gethin Lewis had dominated competition throughout the day, finishing first and second respectively in the Welsh Circuit, Champion Shearer of Wales and Welsh Open events. Evans also teamed up with Llyr Jones to win the Six Nations Machine Shearing Championship.
Despite qualifying strongly for the Welsh Open semifinals, Fagan, of Te Kūiti, and Braddick, from Eketāhuna, were unable to reach the final. That ended New Zealand’s hopes of claiming a third straight Welsh Open title following Fagan’s victory in 2024 and Toa Henderson’s success last year.
However, the pair saved their best performance for the international test.
Fagan delivered the strongest all-round individual performance for New Zealand, finishing just one second behind Lewis, who recorded the fastest shearing time of the contest. Lewis completed his 20 lambs in 11 minutes 49 seconds, with Fagan finishing in 11 minutes 50 seconds, both shearers around 40 seconds quicker than their teammates.
Braddick also produced his strongest test performance of the tour, earning the highest quality score overall, including top marks for the finished sheep in the judging pens. Evans recorded the highest points for board work during the contest.
The victory provides a timely boost for the New Zealand team, who are chasing their first series win in Wales since 2019. They will now look to level the series in Saturday’s final test.
There was also success for New Zealand team manager Digger Balme of Ōtorohanga, who finished runner-up in the Veterans event for shearers aged 61 and over after an impressive 40 seasons competing in the Open grade. His employee and England representative Calum Bosley also claimed second place in the Senior final.
With momentum now swinging back towards the Black Singlets, Saturday’s final test promises to be a fitting conclusion to the Wools of New Zealand Tour.
Third Test Result (20 lambs each):
- New Zealand: Jack Fagan (11m 50s), Hemi Braddick (12m 31s)
- Wales: Gethin Lewis (11m 49s), Gwion Lloyd Evans (12m 32s)
Series: Wales lead 2–1, with the fourth and final test to be held at the Corwen Shears on Saturday.
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