Hunter axemen Justin Beckett and Noel Marsh will represent Australia at the prestigious Brisbane Ekka woodchopping competition after winning a world title at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
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The pair teamed up to take out the 600mm double-handed sawing contest at the Easter Show in March, sawing through the log in 20.26 seconds – the fastest of the nine teams in the final.
While Beckett, of Congewai, had won seven previous world titles, it was the first for Millfield resident Marsh.
The 50-year-old has been competing in the sport for half of his life, and has represented NSW for 22 years.
“You’re never too old to become a world champion,” Marsh said.
The pair will compete with the Australian senior side at the Ekka in August, taking on New Zealand in a time-honoured Trans-Tasman challenge.
Marsh’s sons Cameron, 20, and Brendan, 18, were finalists in the second division 500mm standing block team of two butchers block, and Cameron placed third in the 275mm junior underhand handicap.
The brothers have been selected in the Australian under-21s side and will compete against a New Zealand Colts side at the Adelaide show in September.
The Marsh family is in good form this year, with Noel and his eldest son Blake (24) winning the 500mm NSW sawing title at Kiama.
Beckett has also had success at state level this year, teaming up with Kearsley’s Mitchell Kirk to win the 450mm double-handed sawing competition.
