Surf lifesaving: Change of attitude pays off for Makos

SYDNEY - New Zealand's Southern Makos yesterday produced a big turnaround in form to record their best result in a round of the Australian National Surf League.

They finished second equal among the seven teams at Mooloolaba in Queensland, lifting themselves off the bottom of the standings after two of this season's five rounds.

The Makos, who joined the competition last season, had previously never done better than fifth equal.

But they put that behind them with skipper Cory Hutchings and Gabrielle Moses, one of a handful of Australians in the Makos lineup, winning the mixed board rescue. Hutchings caught a wave near the end to move from last to first.

The women's surf boat crew also won their race.

Manager David Leuthart said the Makos were thrilled with their performance, which came after a last placing in the first round at Sydney's Manly Beach a fortnight ago.

It showed the team could compete at the top level in Australia.

"We had a team talk beforehand and we decided we had to be more aggressive," he said.

"We just could not be overawed by the Australian teams like we were at Manly."

But the Makos still had work to do, particularly in the sprints and the beach flag.



The next round will be at Surfer's Paradise on January 4.

Second-round points: Queensland 223 1, Southern Makos, Western Australia, South Australia 201 2 equal, New South Wales 188 5, Victoria 181 6, Tasmania 171 7. Provisional standings: Queensland 14, Western Australia 9, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia 8, Southern Makos 6, Tasmania 3.

- NZPA