The 50th Shine Shield season finished on Saturday night with a flash and a bang – literally.

The inter-town swimming competition was in full swing when the worst fears of organisers, who had been watching storms skirt Binalong for much of the afternoon, were realised. Lightning flashed and the pool was evacuated mid-race. Although the stalwarts waited and waited for a possible resumption, getting colder and colder, in the end Mother Nature thought wind might settle the matter, and she was right.

The final point score for the night was made up from freestyle, backstroke and the relay events.

Binalong had been in the lead after the third carnival. The village where it all began had waited 48 years to have its name inscribed on the shield. It now dreamed of a fairy-tale ending and a second win, but it was always going to be hard to clinch the trophy. The fast finishing Yass team had dreams of their own.

In an event where participation in a race earns a point for your team Binalong pulled out all stops, marshalling a huge (relative to the population) contingent of swimmers of all ages lining up. “Points for Binalong!” was the catch-cry. In one heat of the Over 30s relay the entire field, all 20 swimmers, were Binalong swimmers. Then came the storm.

As people dashed for cover, the 50th winner of the Shine Shield was announced. Yass had pipped Binalong by one solitary point, 1446 to 1445. Jugiong came in third with 1334 points and Harden scored 1031. Congratulations Yass on a great effort.

Yass also took out the Sheahan Cup for the relays with 44 points, leaving Binalong 30, Harden 24 and Jugiong 6 in its wake.

“Overall the carnival and the series was a huge success,” said Yass Swimming Club President Michael Wilkinson. “We had a crowd of over 300 people with 170 of them competing in the events on offer.”

 “I’d like to thank all the volunteers, coaches, town organisers and swimmers for the hard work they put into running these carnivals. It is a huge achievement for four towns to come together each year to put on these wonderful events and we hope that these events continue for years to come.

“A special mention must go to Yass Valley Council and Harden Shire Council for their continued support to run these carnivals and also to our sponsors Butt Livestock & Property Yass, Gregory & McCarthy Accountant Yass, Harden Tyre Service, Bendigo Bank Boorowa, NSW Sport & Recreation, Mick and Karey Ings, Landmark Boorowa and Gino’s Fruit and Veg Jugiong for their support in running the Binalong Celebration carnival,” he said.

Binalong’s Shine Shield Co-ordinator Belinda Pigram was pleased with all four carnivals this year.

 “Overall, the numbers were up and there were a lot of young swimmers… that’s what it’s all about, the kids swimming and having fun,” she said. “I’m happy with it.”