Top gun shearer Damien Boyle reclaims the open title at Williams Gateway Expo

Top gun shearer Damien Boyle took out the Williams Gateway competition with the best low point score of 63.65 shearing 10 sheep both clean and in a good time of 18 minutes and 3 seconds for the open win. The return of the expo shearing competition after its cancellation last year because of COVID was held on April 13 and brought 18 entries to battle it out on the boards in five classes including novice, under-21, intermediate, senior and open. Williams is one of the 11 regular shearing competitions held annually and conducted by the WA Compeition Shearing Association. Broomehill shearing sensation Boyle backed up his 2021 win at Williams and he had to compete against the Wagin Woolorama champion Tom Reed for the honours. Reed was the quickest in a time of 15min. 30sec. but Boyle sheared the cleanest to take the win against three other open rivals. Shearing commentator Don Boyle said the overall quality of the competition was excellent. “It was good to see the number of young shearers take it to the boards with enthusiasm,” he said. Coming up the ranks and making a mark for female shearers in WA, novice shearer Stacci Chisholm, of Manjimup, finished one sheep in 4:34 to take the win. Young Zarah Squires, 17, of Quairading, took 7:38 to place second. Chisholm said she worked as a freelance shearer while Squiers said she sheared at her home farm when required. In the under-21 competition, Calingiri shearer George Burt backed up his win at Woolorama shearing four sheep in 15:03. Williams shearer Wayne Banks was best in the intermediate competition shearing six sheep the quickest in a time 13:02. Last year’s national senior champion Danielle Mauger, of Boyup Brook, was just too good at Williams shearing eight sheep in a time of 18:34 to repeat her win from Woolorama. Maugher, who shears full time with Shear Pride shearing contractor Floyde Neil, will become eligible to compete in the open classes next year after her accumulation of wins on the boards. The next WACSA competition, the Dyson Jones Corrigin Shears will be held on September 9, followed by Koorda on September 16, the Perth Royal on September 23, Kojonup on October 21, Katanning on October 28, Boddington on November 5 and Dinninup on November 7. Williams Gateway Expo Shearing Competition Novice 1st: Stacci Chisholm 2nd: Zarah Squiers 3rd: Mitchell Baker 4th: Stephen McCarthy Under-21 1st: George Burt 2nd: Jadas Guelfi Intermediate 1st: Wayne Banks 2nd: Andrew Kop 3rd: Cameron Browne 4th: Brock Morgan Senior 1st: Danielle Mauger 2nd: Robbie Stewart 3rd: Kevin Dawson 4th: Marskin Open 1st: Damien Boyle 2nd: Tom Reed 3rd: Luke Harding 4th: Mark Buscumb