Lifesaving: Southern Makos lack bite as Queensland take control

BRISBANE - The Southern Makos failed to win any events as they battled to sixth place in the third round of the Australian surf lifesaving league at Surfers Paradise yesterday.

The New Zealand team, who finished second in the seven-team league in the second round, could not reproduce the outstanding individual performances that marked their performance at Mooloolaba.

They found the hot conditions and light swell far from their liking, unlike champions Queensland, who picked up their third straight win.

New Zealand's score of 184 placed them narrowly ahead of New South Wales and within sight of several other Australian state teams.

With two rounds remaining, the Southern Makos are sixth overall, but coach David Leuthart was confident of an improvement.

"Apart from Queensland, who are way ahead of everyone, there's nothing in it," Leuthart said. "A lot of these results hinge on who gets a good wave or who gets the right end of the beach from the draw.

"Things probably didn't go our way today, but there were still some strong performances.

"Last year [when New Zealand finished last overall] we were losing by metres, but this year we're missing out by feet."

Team captain Cory Hutchings and Gabby Moses were third in the board rescue, as was Dane Hurst in the ironman. Beach sprinter Callum Taylor was also third, while Paul Green was fourth in the ski paddle.

- NZPA