The three Sydney Interclubs wrap up for Christmas with little change

This past weekend witnessed Round 4 of the Sydney North, Sydney South East and Sydney South West Interclub competitions at the Hills Garmin Series.

A great day saw nearly 300 athletes compete but there was little change in the overall leaderboards.

Sydney South East

Honours on the day were split between the Australian Chinese Dragons and the Bondi BRATS as both made slight inroads into the leading two, the Sydney Tri Giants and the Coogee Comets.

Xuan Cheng’s 6^th place the standout for the Dragons, for the BRATs it was the Nicolle family once again leading from the front with Oliver wining his AG and Keith finishing 3^rd in his.

The Dragons stay third on the leaderboard, but the BRATs leapfrog the Eastern Suburb Swans who didn’t score on the day into fourth place.

The Sydney Tri Giants will enter 2019 as the club to stop. Eloise Watson was victorious to earn vital performance points for the Giants that could prove crucial come the seasons end.

Coogee left the Regatta Centre with the same amount of points from the day as the Giants and remain second overall. Andrew Gibietis with a fantastic second place, Steve Powell with a fine 6^th.

The Brighton Polar Bears didn’t feature on the day, but Peter Craig ensured that the T4 North Bondi Tritans didn’t leave empty handed as he finished 6^th in his AG.

The Sydney South East Interclub could come down to the double point round at Club Champs in Orange.

Sydney North

It was business as usual for the Balmoral Purple Cobras as they secured their fourth straight Interclub victory to extend their lead on top of the Sydney North leaderboard.

Jack Mcphee was victorious in his AG, Joe Sprange and Lachlan Stevenson finished 2nd, with David Morrison 3rd and Seamus Fingleton 5^th as Balmoral cantered to victory on the day.

The Warringah Waves and Northern Suburb Mighty Mites didn’t register any points as Balmoral head for 2019 with a considerable lead overall.

With six events still to come, Balmoral aren’t champions just yet, but they have given themselves the best possible start. Big Husky and Club Champs should play a big role in how this Interclub unfolds.

Sydney South West

The Hills Red Army march on with a comfortable victory at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

Thirty nine Red Army athletes picked up performance points with victories for Matthew Plohl, Malcolm Ramsay, Kristie Caplikas, Julie Howle, Alan Whitmore and Dave McEwan. This was Dave’s fourth victory of the season.

Panthers were second on the day and reclaim second place overall from the Cronulla Sharks.

Toby Croudson and Aimee Carlin winning their AG, Mike Hiser finished 2^nd, Jacky Watson 3^rd and Chris Waring 4^th to cap off a solid 2018 for Panthers.

It was a three-way tie for third between the Cronulla Sharks, Concord and Team Mac Tri.

Phil Baigent was in form for the Sharks to win his AG, Marcello Rossi finished runner up and Michelle Peace took out 4^th as the Sharks drop back overall but will have their sights on Kurnell #2 in January.

A successful day for Concord as both Gabrielle Lota and Tim Ford won their AG, Dominic Marshall finishing in 6^th. Concord now level on points overall with Balance & UTS who didn’t score on the day.

Another encouraging day for Team Mac Tri as they stay fourth overall. Rachel Eagles and Craig Odewahn again in the points as they claimed brilliant solo victories, David Hine a fine 8^th.

Hawkesbury made the most of LAPD and the FilOz Eagles not registering points to leapfrog them into seventh overall thanks to a 6^th placed finish by Chris Barclay.

Pulse also closing the gap thanks to an 8^th from Victor Correa.

Engadine also didn’t register points this past weekend to remain last overall.

An interesting 2019 awaits the clubs of the South West Interclub with trips to Kurnell, Cronulla, Wollongong, Orange and one more to Penrith on the calendar.

The second half of the season will suit Cronulla and Team Mac Tri more you would think but have Hills opened up a wining lead already?