Charles McCombie is star turn at Caithness Shears event
YOUNG Huntly shearer Charles McCombie was the star turn of the day at the Caithness Shears event held at Quoybrae in Watten.
Not only did he take the honours in the W. & M. Horner junior competition by almost four points, he qualified for the intermediate final and, despite shearing up a class against more experienced adversaries, he triumphed to win the Sandy Douglas Trophy.
A total of 30 competitors converged on the auction mart on June 4, and by the end of the day had sheared almost 500 hoggs.
An enthusiastic crowd witnessed some fine shearing during the afternoon programme, particularly the four finals.
Qualifying Scottish Circuit points – towards representing Scotland in the World Championships in New Zealand in 2012 – were up for grabs in the open section where a top-class field was ultimately headed by Hamish Mitchell who now resides in Norway.
The superb final saw Simon Bedwell, from Garve, Ross-shire, shear his pen of 16 Cheviot hoggs, from Lythmore, Thurso, in exactly 15 minutes.
The senior section produced a convincing winner in Stewart Kennedy, from Aberfeldy, whose control, technique and quality were also rewarded with the bottle of Old Pulteney whisky for the “best-pen” prize.
Local shearing contractor Andrew Sinclair, from Wick, did extremely well to qualify for both the Senior and Intermediate finals but a demanding schedule saw him having to settle for fourth position in both.
Caithness Shearing Association is delighted with the support for the event and is grateful to those who contributed to its success.
Results – W. & M. Horner junior: 1, Charles McCombie, Huntly, 31.47; 2, Alan Mackay, Forss, 35.93; 3, John McCauley, Bower, 44.37; 4, Allan Cowie, Turriff, 50.33. Best pen: A. Mackay.
Caithness Shears intermediate: 1, C. McCombie, 50.06; 2, Alex Riding, Jedburgh, 51.15; 3, Ross Gibson, Alexandria, 51.92; 4. Andrew Sinclair, Wick, 54.99. Best pen: R. Gibson,
Intervet Scherring Plough senior: 1, Stewart Kennedy, Aberfeldy, 48.41; 2, A. Riding, 53.76; 3, R. Gibson, 55.52; 4, A. Sinclair, 56.24. Best pen: S. Kennedy.
Caithness Oil open: 1, Hamish Mitchell, Norway, 57.11; 2, Gavin Mutch, Forgue, 57.78; 3, Simon Bedwell, Garve, 58.55; 4, Grant Lundie, Dundee, 61.75. Best pen: G. Mutch.
