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Half a point decides North Coast title

The Byron Bay Triathlon produced a fitting end to a North Coast Interclub season that has had more twists and turns than an episode of Game of Thrones.

All six clubs entered event this past weekend with a mathematical chance of title glory. However, the realistic chances sat with just three. The Clarence Valley Stingrays, the Coffs Harbour Rockets and the Hat Head Hammerheads.

Hat Head entered the round on top. Coffs one point a drift with Clarence Valley just three and a half points behind.

After the sun had set on Byron an inaugural Champion was crowned and by just half a point.

The Coffs Harbour Rockets elated, the Hat Head Hammerheads proud yet bitterly disappointed.

Coffs had overturned the one-point deficit by returning an event score of 21.5 points, with Hat Head securing 20 and narrowly missing out on the title.

Peter Giddins led the charge for the Rockets as he produced a wonderful display to win his AG and take home two precious Performance Points.

Michael Singleton, Phil Benoit, Kate Marsden, Jennifer Williams and Joanne Ferguson added further Performance Points with podium place finishes.

Matt Moffatt, Michael Ylinen, Shaun Bayndrian, David Leckenby, Peter Timothy, Scott Tarplee, Alira Bayndrian, Caron Mackie and Ian Fergusson all finished their years on a high with top 10 finishes as Coffs tied for first place at the Byron Bay Triathlon with the home town club, the Breakers, but it was enough to edge out the Hammerheads and take home the title.

“What a great initiative by Triathlon NSW to introduce the North Coast Interclub Series. Coffs Harbour are delighted to take out the inaugural Series by only half a point. It was a great effort by all clubs and participants involved. Looking forward to what next season brings”

Paul Herring, Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club President  

Hat Head, the newest and smallest club in the competition exceeded expectations time and time again during the season.

In Byron Bay, it was no different with Andrew Kirby, Tina McEvoy and Maria Johnson placing second with Tess Shannon a fine third as the Hammerheads finished third on the day.

Michael Kemp, Cathy Cornish, Rebecca Kings, Madison Sinclair, Paulene Kirkwood, Anne Kirby and Mike Stevenson all finished with top 10’s to drive Hat Head closer to that elusive title which no one thought was possible at the start of the season, but it wasn’t quite to be.

To finish just half a point behind the Rockets after 7 Rounds is a tough blow to take, but Hat Head have announced themselves on the Triathlon scene of NSW and they are here to stay.

The Byron Breakers were the joint winners on the day at the Byron Bay Triathlon and secured enough points to leapfrog the Clarence Valley Stingrays into third place overall. A superb effort from the newly formed club.

Paivi Hanninen once again showing her class to pick up yet another victory for the season and was joined on the top step of the podium by Club President, Deb Fuller.

Matt Slee, Daniela Costa and Danielle Van Zuylen all finished in second with Nikela Coulter, Alice Tancred and Robyn Drake all fourth.

Huw Jones and Claire O’Meara were the other Breakers to add Performance Points to their tally.

The Ballina Seahorses finished up fourth on the day, but it wasn’t quite enough to move them off the bottom of the ladder as they ended up just half a point behind the Port Macquarie Pelicans overall.

Millie Cooke was once again the star for Ballina with another podium finish, Len Benson provided excellent support with a solid eighth.

Clarence Valley finished fifth in Byron as their title hopes disappeared. Jason Culton and Kim Elvery doing what they do best however, as they both won their AG.

A huge congratulations to Kim who secured the North Coast MVP title in the process.

The Port Macquarie Pelicans didn’t feature on the day and finished fifth overall.

The spirit shown by all six clubs over the course of the season has been a credit to the region.

Many people are already looking for to next season and Interclub 02 to see if anyone can dethrone the Rockets.