The Mandurah Triathlon Club fell just short of notching a win against their arch rivals Rockingham when the two squared off in their annual KD Cycles Club Challenge in Singleton on Sunday.
Rockingham was on a high following their recent success claiming the Tri Challenge Cup over Fremantle last weekend, and kept their run strong performances rolling to snatch back the crown from a spirited Mandurah club.
Strong currents in the water pushed the swim leg out to an extra 150 metres, but otherwise comfortable conditions greeted the athletes.
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Mandurah’s Reece Harris, Matt Mckay and Russell Harris joined Rockingham’s Wade Adam, Brett Johnson, Michael Baker and Ryan Willmot among the best swimmers in the first leg, as the seven bounded out of the water to be first on their bikes ahead of the 15km riding circuit.
Roughly 90 competitors were left in their wake, as further back Lazio Crescentini, Euan Gow, Ben Trewben and John Wood were heading off a large contingent of Mandurah members which included Aidan and Allan Clark, Bruce Barrington and Ben Caporn.
The fast and flat bike circuit spread the field out even further with several competitors clocking over 45 kilometres per hour.
Reece Harris continued to extend his lead while Rockingham’s Dave and Michael Baker, Roger Cook and Keith Bowron were progressing well.
Lucas Martin, Brendon Evans and James and Sam Eaves were solid on the bike as was Mandurah’s Josh Wozniak, Paul Taylor and Dave Whitely.
With seconds separating the top-five a quick precise run transition was vital and that is exactly what Harris, Adam and Johnson delivered with Jordan Rhodes and Joel Keeble just seconds more in arrears.
In the wash up it was Rockingham’s Johnson pinching the win from Mandurah’s Reece Harris, with Adam claiming the remaining podium spot.
The friendly club rivalry continued in the women’s race with Rockingham’s Natasha Pertwee, Bree Trewin, and Jade Szann under immense pressure early from Mandurah’s in-form Jenny Sullivan, Sam Benn, Elyse Rowe and Jenny Douglas.
Once on the bike Rowe was in her element and continued to impress and leave the pack scrambling for the minor positions.
Looking to make their move and put the Mandurah girls on notice were Kimberly Smith, Helen Palmer and Wendy Belford.
At the pointy end of the run leg Rowe was being tested by fellow club member Sullivan with Rockingham’s Pertwee holding a good margin over Benn, while Jenna Hurrey, Sandy De La Mare and Michelle Baker made good ground.
But despite the final test Rowe had it in the bag followed smartly by Sullivan with Rockingham’s Pertwee in third.
