Wynyard's Bill Purton won Australia's richest handicap woodchopping event, the $10,000 Eric Reece Memorial Thousands 300mm Standing Handicap at Bridport.
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Purton just scraped into the grand final, but left his best cut to last, winning from world underhand champion Gerald Youles, from Queensland, off a handicap of 25 seconds, with Gowrie Park veteran Darren Steers (14 seconds), third.
Chopping off the front mark of eight seconds, Purton finished fourth in the C grade final and had to cut off against the other fourth-placed competitors to make the 10-man final with the first three from A, B and C grade finals.
Purton has only returned to competitive woodchopping this season after a 10-year lay-off due to family commitments.
"I only just made it into the final and I thought the cut-off for fourth was one chop too many," Purton said.
I only just made it into the final and I thought the cut-off for fourth was one chop too many. I was pleased just to make the final, but to win it is unreal
- Bill Purton
"I was pleased just to make the final, but to win it is unreal.
"I got a bad log in the C grade final, but it got better from there and if you're in the final, you have a chance, so it's all worked out perfect."
Hosted by the North East Tasmanian Axemen's Association, the Thousands was held in perfect conditions in front of a large crowd at the picturesque Bridport Village Green appropriately for what was the 60th running of the event, which started in 1962.
Earlier in the day, Gowrie Park axeman Kody Steers continued his dominant season with a strong win in the Harry Mulcahy Memorial Tasmanian 375 mm Standing Championship, defeating defending champion Dale Beams, of Winkleigh, in a time of 34.03 seconds.
Gowrie Park was well represented, with Jesse Bakes cutting third behind the two former world champions, with a solid performance.
A 250mm standing handicap carrying $1000 in prize money, was won by Winkleigh's Zac Beams, off a handicap of 16 seconds, from Gowrie Park veteran Darren Steers (13) and Launceston's Danny Arnold (17 seconds).