Byron breakthrough as they share Kingy title with Ballina

The North Coast Interclub produced yet another blockbuster event this past weekend as the Ballina Seahorses and Byron Breakers shared the spoils in what is shaping up to be an enthralling first season.

The Seahorses ensured that they head into the New Year still on top of the North Coast leaderboard with yet another terrific all-round performance, only being denied a third straight event victory by the Breakers from Byron who are getting stronger at each event.

Kim Churchill and Garry Simes podiumed for the Seahorses with David Crosby and Louise Dansey securing top ten finishes to draw to a close what has been a very promising 2018 for Ballina.

It was a trio of runners up for Byron, as Matt Slee, Paivi Hanninen and Deb Fuller were all in sublime form to give Byron their highest event placing of the season so far. The Breakers head for the New Year in fourth place overall and firmly in the hunt for title honours.

The Coffs Harbour Rockets were third on the day in what was their best performance so far this season. Peter Giddins and Richard Hudson took home maximum points after winning their AG, with Wendy Maley finishing a fine third in hers. Patrick Brennan, Matt Moffatt, Trevor Fidge, Alira Bayndrian, Michelle McBurney and Jennifer Williams all managed top ten efforts to ensure Coffs ended the year on a high.

Coffs find themselves in fifth place overall but are set up well for a run at the title in the second half of the season as events become more geographically friendly for them.

Fourth on the day went to the Clarence Valley Stingrays who leapfrog the Hat Head Hammerheads into second place overall.

Kim Elvery and Darren Adams won their second events of the season for the Stingrays to cap off a solid start to the campaign for Clarence.

The Hat Head Hammerhead finishes fifth on the day off the back of a fine 4^th place for Paulene Kirby and a 7^th placed finish for Andrew Kirby.

Hat Head drop to third overall but that will do little to dampen the spirits of the Hammerheads who have been terrific so far this season and will have big ideas for 2019.

Port Macquarie didn’t trouble the scorers on the day and stay sixth overall but with a favourable schedule for the second half of the season, the Pelicans have the athletes capable of turning it around in a hurry.

Top 3 questions heading into the Kingscliff Triathlon answered

1. Who will head for the Christmas break on top of the leaderboard?

           The Ballina Seahorses. On top since day 01, the Seahorses have opened up a small gap at the top of the leaderboard and will begin to believe that the title                 can be theirs.

2. Can all six clubs stay in title contention as we head for 2019?

           Yes. The top five teams are covered by just 16 points. Port are slightly adrift but are by no means out of it just yet.

3. Will we see a third different club win an event or will one of Clarence Valley and Ballina claim their second?

           Yes and no. Byron and Ballina tied for first place at Kingscliff to give Ballina another victory but also, we saw a new victor in Byron.

Looking ahead to Round 4

Round 4 is all set for February 10th and the 30th Trial Bay Triathlon at South West Rocks.

The much loved triathlon is set to play a key role in the outcome of the North Coast Interclub as the event ventures South for the first time this season.

Full details can be found here

Kingscliff Triathlon Results

Click here for the North Coast Interclub Series results for the Kingscliff Triathlon