Taranaki claws way to victory in Surf League

Ironman Glenn Anderson climbed from his sick bed and team-mate Jaron Mumby says a total team effort gave Taranaki a superb come-from-behind victory in the Lion Foundation Surf League at Mt Maunganui yesterday.

Anderson, the Taranaki and New Zealand surf lifesaving team captain, spent Saturday night in Tauranga Hospital battling a kidney infection, but fronted yesterday as Taranaki clawed its way back to win consecutive open titles.

An emotional Mumby said it was a remarkable team victory after the reigning champion had trailed Auckland by three points on Saturday.

"I'm almost speechless right now," said Mumby after holding aloft the massive trophy. "At our team meeting [on Saturday night] there was just so much belief, everyone had the fire in their bellies and every set of eyes I looked into was united towards this one cause.

"What Glenn did by coming out of hospital was huge, but if we were going to win this thing then it was always going to be about more than one person.

"We had the goods and the horsepower and a team full of champions coming in, but perhaps lacked a bit of luck on day one.

"Today was about us battling and scrapping for every inch and every point."

Taranaki turned on a near-flawless performance in front of several thousand spectators, winning with 195 points, 17 clear of Auckland with host Bay of Plenty third. It won seven of the 18 events on offer, with few more popular than Anderson in the ironman. He fought through the field to hold off day one winner Matt Sutton, of Gisborne, on the final surf-ski leg.

Hawke's Bay's Nikki Cox again showcased her superb all-round skills on the water, completely dominating the ironwoman for her second runaway win of the weekend.

Anderson was also involved with Dylan Dunlop-Barrett in a win in the surf teams, while IRB crew Chris Scott and Mumby were again peerless on the water, winning all four races over two days.

Speedster Paul Cracroft-Wilson rediscovered his form yesterday with a win in the sprint and beach flags. By the time the event finale, the teams' relay, rolled around, Taranaki already had the title won.

In the under-19 surf league, defending champion Auckland was undone by Bay of Plenty, with the host getting up for its first victory in six years. Hawke's Bay was third, with Taranaki sixth.

Standings: Taranaki 195, Auckland 178, Bay of Plenty 164, Gisborne 157, Hawke's Bay 145, Canterbury 137, Wellington 118.

Under-19: Bay of Plenty 196, Auckland 184, Hawke's Bay 165, Gisborne 147, Wellington 147, Taranaki 142, Canterbury 136, Otago 119.

- NZPA