Rural bachelor begins

Rural bachelors want a woman with personality over looks – that’s according to their opening pitches to the Fieldays crowd on Wednesday morning.

They approached the Village Green stage telling their names, ages, occupations and ideas of perfect dates.

First to the microphone was Foxton bachelor, Craig Crampton, with a relaxed approach to wining and dining.

“I think you should let the date do the work,” Crampton said.

He continued he would like a woman who can hold a conversation, have banter and who can ideally drive farm machinery.

Whakatane dairy farmer Matt Barr told his standards for that perfect lady have progressively dropped over time.

“I started off with a bit of a criteria – but it’s been cut down over the years,” Barr said.

Aussie Mick Pearson made it clear that during his search for a partner at least one thing is essential.

“I’m looking for a pulse [in a woman]. They’ve got to be alive,” Pearson said.

Fencer from Geraldine, Toby How, was the romantic in the group – most drawn to a lady with an attractive curve of the lip.

“I’m sold with a smile. I like a girl that gets out there and does it – rolls up her sleeves,” How said.

And How described his ultimate date to be on saddled horses, on the edge of a forest, with a picnic, watching the sunset.

The bachelors went on to the speed dating heat of the competition after their introduction.