For the eleventh year in a row, the competition was run in association with AH Ward and Boyd Limited, who represent BETAFENCE in Northern Ireland. The contest allowed members from the 24 teams who took part to learn and practice their fencing skills under the expert tuition of Chief Instructor Crosby Cleland.
As last year the teams were divided into two sections Novice and Senior. Teams from Kells and Connor, Holestone, Moneyrea, Gleno Valley, Spa and Ballywalter Young Farmers' Clubs took part in the Senior Section. Competing in the Novice section were teams from Kells and Connor, Moneyrea, Holestone, Curragh, Killinchy, Spa, Collone, Clanabogan, Rathmore and City of Derry Young Farmers' Clubs.
The novice Section were asked to erect a 20 metre straight stock proof fence with each fence having the sheep wire and barbed wire joined by traditional methods at some point in the fence. Meanwhile in the senior section the participants completed a 27m stock proof fence with a corner/ bend at a predetermined point. Both the sheep wire and the barbed wire were joined at the centre of the smaller section using traditional methods. Both sections were given three hours to complete the task.
Following the competition Mr. Crosby Cleland addressed the crowd who were anxiously waiting for the results. He commended all the teams who took part on the high quality of the fences and informed the competitors that the final decision was a very tough one.
Mr. Crosby Cleland then invited Mr. Paul Bennington from sponsor A. H Ward and Boyd Limited to present the prizes. In the Novice section City of Derry came first and received the perpetual plate, medals and a cheque courtesy of A.H. Ward and Boyd Limited. Killinchy YFC came second and Rathmore YFC came third.
In the Senior Section Spa YFC came first and received the 'Green Rylock Trophy', medals, a cheque and a visit to a Green Rylock factory in the UK. Gleno Valley YFC came second and Ballywalter YFC came third.
Paul Bennington, Sales Director of A.H. Ward and Boyd commented on this year's competition.
"Once again we at Ward and Boyd and Betafence are extremely proud to be associated with this prestigious event. Having been involved now for eleven years we have been able to see the extraordinary improvement in the quality of fences which the Young Farmers are producing.
Even the novice section of the competition produced some superbly erected fence. We certainly hope our association with this event will continue for many years to come".
YFCU President Adrian Cooper closed the presentation of prizes with a word of thanks.
"On behalf of the YFCU, I would like to extend a note of thanks to Paul Bennington, Colin Boyd and all at A.H. Ward and Boyd Limited for their support of the competition. This is the eleventh year that the company has supported the event. Thanks must also go to Crosby Cleland for judging the event. Finally, thanks must be given to Nicola and to all at the Northern Ireland Ploughing Association for their assistance," said Adrian.
"Congratulations to all those who took part – the effort displayed at this year's competition was fantastic," he added.
Results:
Novice Section
First Place: City of Derry: David Devine, Graeme Park and Colin Devine
Second Place: Killinchy: David McKeag and James McKeag
Third Place: Rathmore: Pamela Dennison, William Clarke and David Bethel
Senior Section
First Place: Spa 1: William Kelly, Sam McConnell and George Shaw
Second Place: Gleno Valley: Mark Paisley, Andrew Davidson and Robert Davidson
Third Place: Ballywalter: Alan Angus, Joe Brown and Edward Brown