PORT Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club’s ladies masters crew still lead the way after three rounds of the North Coast Surfboat Series despite a second-place finish at Minnie Waters.
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They cling to a one-point lead after Miranda Morgan’s competitive rowing debut contributed to their top two result at the weekend.
Morgan is the daughter of the late Norm Morgan who was the club’s life governor and who they have named their new boat in honour of.
Boat captain Rick Rolff said it was an impressive first-up performance from Morgan who slotted into the team following an injury to one of the other members.
“It was Miranda’s first time in the ocean and she went really well,” Rolff said.
“She ran out of fitness by the end of the day, but that’s to be expected when you’ve never done something like that before.
“Conditions were pretty perfect, nice offshore winds – really nice for someone in their first race.”
They were pipped for first position in four of their five weekend races, with a lone win coming on Sunday.
“The girls had five races and came up with four seconds and one first so it was a good effort,” Rolff said.
“We had Sonya Crossingham change positions in the boat to accommodate Miranda so when that happens it can take time to get your combinations right.”
The Masters Men finished third on the day and now hold that position in the series.
The girls had five races and came up with four seconds and one first so it was a good effort.
- Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club boat captain Rick Rolff
Rolff remained confident they could still make an impression on the final standings by the end of the season.
“The masters men were up there on the pace,” he said.
“Crescent Head are a much younger crew than them, but they’re starting to form combinations.
“I think they have a fair bit of improvement left in them; they’re a team on their way up.”
Meanwhile, Wauchope-Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club’s open men’s crew continue to lead the way after another strong showing last weekend.
Only one point separates the top four crews of Wauchope-Bonny Hills, Tugun, Woolgoolga and Kempsey-Crescent Head on the ladder.
Their under-19 girls crew continue to set the pace in their division, but it was their performance in the open women’s division that impressed sweep Steve Monaghan.
“They finished in the top three in the open women which was a really good result,” he said.
“They’re just smashing the under-19 competition because they’re rowing far more competitively.”
This weekend sees rounds four and five at Scotts Head.
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