Interclub is back.
ICS 02 started this past weekend with the Hills Triathlon Club Duathlon at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith.
It was Round 01 for the Sydney Triathlon Premier League, League 1 and League 2 as well as a Worlds Qualifying Event which resulted in nearly 300 athletes take the start line.
Premier League
The Hills Red Army produced a fine club display to win Round 1 with a max out and 25 precious points. Balmoral traveled well and put in a tremendous display to return to the Northern Beaches with 14.5 points and a second place finish, firing a warning shot to Hills in the process, letting them know it won’t be a one horse race this season.
The smallest club in the division, the Sydney Tri Giants (STG) will be happy with how they started as they claimed third with 9 points, narrowly edging out Panthers who took fourth on 8.5 points. An encouraging start for Panthers who seem to be a club on the right path for challenging for title honours in the near future.
Macarthur finished on 7.5 to finish fifth with Balance Bolt and the Cronulla Sharks both ending up on 1.5 points. By no means panic stations for Cronulla or Balance as they are clubs more suited to the events over the second half of the season as last season showed.
Hills will be delighted with the win, but all of the other six clubs will also be pleased with how their seasons have started.
League 1
Round 1 belonged to the Australian Chinese Dragons as they stormed to victory by picking up 8.5 points and asserting themselves as a real promotion candidate. As did Concord who finished second with 6.5 points.
The Bondi BRATS claimed third with 2 points as the early season favourites to win League 1, the Warringah Waves finished fourth on 1 point.
Another of the much fancied clubs for the League 1 title, the Coogee Comets were fifth on 0.5 points.
Brighton and Engadine didn’t feature this round.
Anyone who was paying attention last season won’t be surprised by the Dragon’s victory or with Concord’s strong start. Both clubs have aspirations of being Premier League Clubs in ICS 03 and have started in the right way to make it a reality.
League 2
There was a shock in League 2 as Pulse were triumphant in Round 1 as they came out on top in a very close three team battle. The Eastern Suburb Swans were just half a point back in second, with the FilOz Eagles third just one point behind Pulse. A great start for all three clubs.
Northern Suburbs Mighty Mites finished fourth on 1 point but will be delighted to get the points tally rolling for the season.
T4, Lion Island and LAPD didn’t feature this round.
What’s next?
Round 2 is just six days after Round 1.
The Berry Duathlon hosted by Elite Energy promises to be a great event and is the NSW State Duathlon Championships also.
Can anyone close in on Hills?
Will Warringah or Coogee bounce back after a quiet opening round?
Can Pulse surprise again?
