Surf Lifesaving: Makos find going tough in Manly

SYDNEY - The New Zealand team made a competitive start to the Australian National Surf League but could not head off the strong Australian state squads in the first round at Manly Beach.

The Southern Makos were seventh and last in a tight day's competition with 16 surf-lifesaving disciplines.

The New Zealanders finished with 171 points, eight behind sixth-placed Tasmania. Defending champions Queensland showed they would be hard to beat again after winning with 236 points.

But it was a promising beginning for a new-look Makos team, who were largely off the pace in their debut season last summer.

The inflatable rescue boat crew of Justin Martin and Ben Fuller, of the Wainui club, were the only New Zealand winners.

Australian import Gabriella Moses was second in the women's board race for the Makos and there were a host of third placings, to team captain Cory Hutchings in the ironman, Callum Taylor in the beach sprint and the Whangamata men's surf boat crew.

Points: Queensland 236 points, 1, Victoria 216, 2, NSW 214, 3, Western Australia 190, 4, South Australia 188, 5, Tasmania 179, 6, Southern Makos (NZ) 171, 7.

- NZPA