Cneifio Corwen Chwys

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-Welcome to

-the Corwen Shears Championships...

-..the final leg of the Welsh

-Shearing Association's Triple Crown.

-It all started a week ago

-in Lampeter, then the Royal Welsh...

-..and now the climax

-at Rhug Farm in Corwen.

-We're in for a treat

-and it promises to be hot. Very hot.

-The world's best

-are among the 300 competitors.

-1,800 lambs,

-all ready for a little trim.

-There'll be international prelims

-and individual events.

-Bryn Fon's here too -

-to sing, not to shear!

-I'm breaking into a sweat,

-so over to you, Ifan Jones Evans...

-..in the commentary box.

-The Welsh shearing triathlon started

-seven days ago in Lampeter...

-..with the first Test

-between the Welsh and the Kiwis.

-Then it was on to Llanelwedd,

-where Aeron Pughe caught the action.

-It was crazy, Ifan. I lost my voice

-and breath just watching them!

-Today in Corwen

-are the Welsh Championships.

-The last two international Tests

-and the Open Championship.

-We're in for a big night.

-I'm joined by the chairman

-of Corwen Shears, Arwyn Jones.

-It's hot in this shed.

-It'll be even hotter later

-with all the sheep in here.

-This is the pinnacle

-of shearing in Wales.

-It's an important week

-for the lads.

-They set their hearts

-on winning in the three shows.

-Are we as good at shearing

-as we've ever been in Wales?

-We are, though Wales

-has never produced a world champion.

-Scotland has two

-but we've never had one...

-..yet New Zealanders say the Welsh

-are the world's best competitors.

-Perhaps this is the year

-we produce a world champion.

-Shearers are marked on three

-different aspects. First is speed.

-Yes, they all want to finish first

-and they lose a point...

-..for every 20 seconds they shear.

-..for every 20 seconds they shear.

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-The judges monitor...

-..the shearers' technique.

-..the shearers' technique.

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-They must keep the comb flat...

-..without marking the fleece

-or they'll be penalized.

-The judges will then go backstage

-to inspect the standard.

-It's imperative there are no cuts

-on the sheep and no leftover wool.

-The competitor

-with the lowest score wins.

-The first competition

-is to find Wales' best shearer.

-Last year's winner was local lad

-Ian Jones from Hundred House.

-It was very emotional.

-I've been trying for a while.

-I finally got there.

-It was hard work but we got there.

-The Championship of Wales, Corwen...

-..and Ian Jones

-is in the first semi-final.

-This is Ian Jones. A simple

-technique around the tail.

-He's almost finished this one,

-cue the next lamb.

-Matthew Evans is in the lead.

-He's flying, Ifan.

-He's going like the clappers.

-Ian Jones must change gear.

-He must

-retain the standard backstage.

-I'm sure Ian will. They're

-neatly shorn. A few are gleaming.

-Matthew Evans is leading so far

-and he's first to finish.

-He beats the rest but will Ian's

-standard beat Matthew Evans' speed?

-We'll find out soon.

-No, no-one can keep up

-with Matthew Evans.

-He finished at a gallop.

-Poor Ian's penalized

-for his technique and standard.

-The big news is that

-he's not through to the final.

-In the second semi-final round, new

-star Gwion Evans from Llansannan...

-..and Wales' best shearer,

-Gareth Daniel, Penegoes.

-Both have secured their place.

-Local boy Richard Jones

-has reached the final.

-Last year, he was Welsh Champion,

-though he came second in Corwen.

-This noisy crowd

-hopes he'll go one better this year.

-I come from Glyndyfrdwy

-near Llangollen.

-We live on a farm.

-I started shearing with Dad,

-I did one or two...

-..and I've never looked back,

-I enjoy it.

-I went to Te Kuiti, New Zealand, and

-I've been back there seven times.

-You learn a lot in New Zealand.

-You shear all day,

-there are more sheep.

-We're paid per sheep,

-so the more we shear...

-..the more money we make.

-I get up at five in the morning

-and shear 300-400 in a day.

-Between the three of us,

-we shear 1,000 every day.

-I started competing

-when I was 16, 17.

-The pen man helps a great deal.

-Alun's been my pen man

-for a number of years.

-Shearing together every day helps.

-Yes, we understand each other.

-He tells me to hurry.

-He gives me a good lamb to catch up.

-Sometimes, the smallest, thinnest

-sheep isn't always the worst.

-Sometimes you get a big lamb that's

-hard to handle and they struggle.

-I've enjoyed success recently.

-I've been Welsh Champion twice.

-I've been lucky enough to compete

-against New Zealand several times.

-Not everyone gets the chance

-to represent their country.

-Sometimes I do well,

-sometimes I don't.

-I get nervous in the pen.

-When you reach the stage...

-..and hear people singing the

-national anthem, they help a lot.

-I hope I do well on Saturday.

-We'll see how it goes.

-Richard is in the final, but there

-are five class acts against him...

-..including a shearer

-who's on fire this week.

-Everyone wants to win

-the Championship of Wales.

-The adrenalin's pumping flat out.

-And the adrenalin will be pumping

-through Richard's veins...

-..in stall number six.

-Who's his biggest threat, Aeron?

-They're all shearers

-of the highest standard.

-Each one is keen. This is

-Gareth Daniel, a neighbour of mine.

-He's a former champion. Gwion Evans

-has had a remarkable season.

-The pen men are picking

-and choosing. Look at Matthew go.

-We saw Matthew excel in Llanelwedd.

-He's going to win.

-Richard Jones is trailing.

-He's fifth at the moment.

-They must remember

-the standard backstage too.

-They all seem to be doing well.

-They all want to finish first. They

-must retain the standard throughout.

-Richard Jones

-is shearing very neatly.

-It's kicking. He's going

-to lose time there, Aeron.

-Yes, speed is very important

-but I'm sure he'll keep his head.

-As you'd expect in a final, the

-standard backstage is exceptional.

-We saw one of Gwion's sheep there.

-Richard's going for it.

-He's also demonstrating

-a high standard backstage.

-A few of Matthew's sheep have cuts.

-A few of Matthew's sheep have cuts.

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-He won't be happy about that.

-His speed may carry him through.

-There are so many technicalities.

-Getting the balance is the biggest

-job. Richard Jones is trailing.

-No-one's cleaner backstage.

-No-one's cleaner backstage.

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-Richard's going to finish.

-Matthew Evans finishes first.

-Goodness me,

-he's had a wonderful day...

-..here in Corwen.

-..here in Corwen.

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-Gwion Evans has finished too.

-But I wonder if he's

-kept the standard? It'll be close.

-The waiting is nearly over.

-Matthew and Gwion were first

-to finish. Technique seems fine.

-However, there are a few cuts on

-Matthew's sheep. It could cost him.

-Both Gareth Daniel's

-and Gwion Evans' sheep look good.

-It's going to be close.

-The winner of the Championship

-of Wales here in Corwen...

-..is Gwion Evans.

-Victory for Gwion Evans

-and here's why.

-He came second in terms of

-speed, technique and standard.

-But consistency throughout means

-he's the Welsh Champion in Corwen.

-Gwion Lloyd Evans,

-you're grinning like a Cheshire cat.

-How does it feel

-to win the championship?

-It's a real privilege.

-The atmosphere's unbelievable.

-It's a local show for me, really.

-Many congratulations.

-After the break,

-the Open Championship...

-..and International Tests.

-Wales versus France and the world's

-best shearers, New Zealand.

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-Welcome back to Corwen Shears,

-the final heat of the Triple Crown.

-Still to come

-is the Open Championship...

-..but first, Wales' best shearers

-face the International Tests.

-France were the first opponents

-in Lampeter.

-Wales won,

-thanks to Gwion Evans and Ian Jones.

-Next came Llanelwedd - the pair

-showed off at the Royal Welsh Show.

-The series was in the bag,

-and then came Corwen...

-..and a chance for Matthew Evans

-and Alun Lloyd Jones to shine.

-Here we go, Wales v France.

-Matthew Evans and Alun Lloyd Jones

-represent Wales...

-..against the French -

-this'll be quite a test.

-It's always a privilege

-to represent your county.

-Matthew and Alun are

-making their mark on the big stage.

-Both are having

-an unforgettable experience here.

-I think the Welsh

-are leading so far.

-This is Alun Lloyd Jones.

-He's almost finished.

-One of the stars of the future.

-One of the stars of the future.

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-Yes, he's full of potential.

-Matthew Evans finishes first.

-Matthew Evans finishes first.

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-They've sheared remarkably well.

-Where's Alun up to, I wonder?

-It's very close. He's finished

-and switched off the blade.

-The Frenchman gives a thumbs up

-and everyone seems happy.

-Winners of the Test, Wales!

-Wales overpower France, but next

-comes the ultimate challenge.

-Like in rugby, the team to beat

-are the All Blacks of New Zealand.

-New Zealand,

-the other side of the world...

-..but the other side of the road...

-..when it comes to shearing sheep.

-The Wales-New Zealand Test

-started in the early '90s.

-At that stage, New Zealand

-was in a league of its own.

-It's good to come here

-and compete against them.

-You see how farmers farm

-and how people live.

-It's an honour to come

-as a New Zealand member.

-It's great to come over here

-and compete against them.

-Good, friendly rivalry.

-The was nothing friendly

-about Lampeter!

-Gwion Evans and Richard Jones

-trounced the Kiwis.

-Welsh boys come to New Zealand

-and shear all the time.

-They get better and better.

-The pure level of young guys coming

-into Welsh shearing is amazing.

-They're the strongest out of the UK.

-They're the strongest out of the UK.

-

-The Welsh boys show...

-..how much they've improved

-by winning the first Test.

-It felt good.

-I felt relief afterwards.

-We got one up on them!

-On to the Royal Welsh

-with Leigh Halfpenny watching.

-Can Wales' shearers do what

-the rugby boys have failed to do?

-Is being at home an advantage?

-The sheep are different to

-New Zealand. Home advantage is huge.

-Their sheep have wool

-covering their heads and legs.

-They come here and

-we like to give them a going over!

-Winners of the Test, Wales!

-It's always hard to compete

-against the Welsh on their lambs.

-They've shown

-what a great side they are.

-What would Gatland say?

-Could we rub the Kiwis' noses in

-the mud and win the lot in Corwen?

-It'd be nice to have a three-nil

-whitewash but we'll see how it goes.

-We'll try our best.

-Wales 2, New Zealand 0.

-The big question is,

-can we win every Test...

-..and win the Grand Slam

-for the very first time?

-The final Test.

-The Kiwis

-have never lost the series.

-Three chances

-is an old favourite for us Welsh.

-# Gwlad, gwlad! #

-Shears, go!

-Wales v New Zealand. This time,

-the pressure's on New Zealand.

-They're trailing by 2-0.

-These competitors

-are the creme de la creme.

-Yes, Ian Jones and Gwion Evans

-are Welsh Champions...

-..versus World Champion Rowland

-Smith and Johnny Kirkpatrick...

-..New Zealand Champion.

-..New Zealand Champion.

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-They shear 100,000 sheep in a year.

-Sheep must be sheared for the sake

-of their health and wellbeing.

-And who better to shear them!

-Rowland Smith is on fire.

-He's sweating profusely. There

-was a kick there for Ian Jones.

-He's trailing slightly.

-He's not getting the best sheep.

-But he's looking good

-in terms of the standard.

-Ian retains the standard.

-That sheep is gleaming.

-Those were Rowland's sheep.

-How do Johnny's sheep look?

-They look fine to me from afar.

-Gwion Evans leads in terms of speed.

-That might be a tactic. Gwion leads

-and Ian retains the standard.

-Who knows? Gwion's going for it.

-He's in the lead

-and will finish first...

-..as we watch the Kiwis

-fighting back.

-They must do something here now.

-They must do something here now.

-

-The crowd is egging the Welsh on.

-Gwion Evans from Llansannan

-is first to finish.

-The Welsh excel in terms of speed.

-Incredible. And there's

-John Kirkpatrick finishing.

-Rowland is next to finish.

-Once Ian Jones

-has shorn around the tail...

-..he'll also pull the cord

-to finish.

-Ian Jones is the last to finish

-but he may still come first.

-Gwion was first over the line,

-but is his shearing up to scratch?

-World Champion Rowland's sheep

-were as pretty as a picture.

-John's weren't bad either.

-Winners of the Test...

-..New Zealand.

-The Kiwis avoid the whitewash

-on account of their consistency.

-Gwion wins the race

-but loses marks on standard.

-The Kiwis' technique was better...

-..and Rowland's standard

-proves why he's World Champion.

-Rowland Smith, John Kirkpatrick,

-you did it.

-You had to do it tonight.

-You had to do it tonight.

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-It was good to have a win.

-The Welsh team really gave it to us.

-It was good to come out on top.

-Second for the Welsh in Corwen.

-But Wales won the series.

-To win a series

-against New Zealand...

-..is one of

-the proudest days of my life.

-The hard work that's gone into

-that win is tremendous.

-One competition remains...

-..and the most important

-of them all, the Open Championship.

-Only one Welshman has ever won -

-Gareth Daniel of Penegoes.

-He'd like to win it again tonight.

-I started shearing

-when I was about 20.

-I sheared sheep at home.

-..I caught the bug

-and I haven't stopped since.

-I learnt the most in New Zealand.

-Shearing was the reason

-I went travelling there.

-I was there four or five months

-the first year...

-..and then an average

-of three months during other years.

-I only shear in summer

-in this country.

-Usually I arrive at work around

-6.30am and start working at 7.00am.

-I shear more than 300 a day.

-There's a circuit of all the shows.

-The atmosphere is unique.

-Until you're on stage you've no idea

-what it's like. It's so noisy.

-We're all friends

-and we share things...

-..but once you're on stage

-as an individual...

-..you do the best you can.

-Winning is always a bonus.

-It doesn't always happen

-but I won the Corwen Open once.

-I was the first Welshman to win.

-I was also the first Welshman

-to win the Open at the Royal Welsh.

-It's nice when that happens,

-so hopefully I can do it again.

-We'll see on the day.

-Gareth came fourth in Lampeter...

-..behind the small Kiwi,

-John Kirkpatrick.

-Gareth came second at the

-Royal Welsh behind Rowland Smith.

-I've been coming a long time.

-It's great to finally get a win.

-Three chances for Gareth?

-The biggest question

-is can any Welshman...

-..stop the Kiwis from winning

-all of Wales' Open Championships?

-With me is the familiar voice...

-..of shearing commentator

-Huw Condron.

-My voice is starting to go now.

-My voice is starting to go now.

-

-I'm not surprised.

-There's something about Corwen,

-isn't there?

-It's always been special. They come

-to Corwen just for the shearing.

-It's well received by the crowds.

-The Open Championship

-is about to start.

-Will Gareth Daniel do it?

-He has the same chance

-as the others. He's passionate.

-He's up against two Kiwis

-and Matthew Evans.

-Ian Jones too. They're all here.

-The battle has raised

-the standard of shearing in Wales.

-They're up against

-the best in the world.

-The competition's about to start.

-The climax of the Welsh Shearing

-Association's seven-day shearfest.

-Two Kiwis...

-..four Welshmen, but only one

-will be crowned champion in Corwen.

-Gareth Daniel and

-the other three have their lambs.

-Gwion Evans' has turned a little.

-He shears his neck.

-He's out in the lead,

-along with Matthew Evans.

-He's almost finished his first.

-These boys have been shearing

-all day but are still going for it.

-They're giving 100%.

-How will they hold up?

-Easily.

-They've been shearing for years.

-They've been building up to this

-night. The adrenalin's pumping.

-They're certainly athletes.

-Gareth Daniel has a light touch.

-They're incredible, Aeron.

-They're incredible, Aeron.

-

-Yes, they are. This is Gwion Evans.

-He's sweating profusely.

-He's leading the Welsh.

-The Kiwis aren't far behind.

-John Kirkpatrick on to his next.

-It's incredibly close.

-Those are John Kirkpatrick's sheep.

-Not a single hair on that one!

-Rowland Smith goes for it.

-He's retaining the standard

-backstage. How's Gwion doing?

-I think that's Gwion's sheep.

-It's gleaming.

-Matthew Evans is turning.

-There are a few scrapes -

-perhaps not as good backstage.

-Back to Gwion and the Kiwi.

-It's very close but I think

-Rowland Smith is in the lead.

-This is Johnny K, as we call him.

-Who's in the lead?

-Gareth Daniel, Penegoes?

-He's still there, Aeron.

-He's still there, Aeron.

-

-Will he catch up with the Kiwis?

-Who'll finish first?

-Who'll finish first?

-

-Go on, Gwion, go for it!

-Gwion Evans finishes first.

-Has he done enough?

-That's the big question.

-Rowland Smith finishes second.

-This'll be close.

-Matthew Evans has also finished.

-It's close between all six.

-Gwion was first over the line. He

-and Gareth showed great technique.

-However, some of Gwion's sheep

-might let him down.

-Gareth's sheep

-are slightly better shorn.

-But look at the Kiwis' standard.

-Johnny's enjoyed it.

-The winner of

-the Fagan Brothers Challenge Cup...

-..is Johnny Kirkpatrick.

-John Kirkpatrick has won

-the Golden Shears four times...

-..but this is his first win

-at Corwen by a hair's breadth.

-Only half a point separated

-Rowland, Gareth Daniel and him.

-Johnny won by being a few seconds

-quicker and the standard of sheep.

-John, you've done so well

-in your shearing career...

-..but somebody told me

-Corwen was one you wanted to win.

-It's been one I've tried to win

-for years, so it's a big honour.

-It's not easy to win in Wales.

-You've got so many good shearers.

-It's a bonus to win here.

-It's been a golden era

-for shearing in Wales.

-We've beaten New Zealand

-in a Test series...

-..and pushed the Kiwis

-to their limits in the Open.

-We should be very proud of our lads.

-From a noisy Corwen crowd, about to

-be serenaded by Bryn Fon, goodnight.

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

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