Surfing: Tom Robinson ranked third in NZ

Whangarei's Tom Robinson is making waves in the Billabong Grom Series. Photo/Col - Surf2Surf.com

Whangarei surfer Tom Robinson continues to shred his way up the national under-14 surfing rankings.

Robinson took his first win of the season at the Piha leg of the Billabong Grom Series, presented by Oceanbridge, over the weekend.

In the process of taking out the under-14 boys' division, Robinson moves up to third in the national rankings.

The Whangarei surfer comfortable made his way to the final after taking out the first semifinal, scoring a 13.1. Raglan's Navryn Malone was just behind him on 12.87 to also qualify.

The final was eventful to say the least.

Taranaki's Tom Butland incurred an interference penalty that ultimately would cost him a victory.

Despite this, Butland fought back well out of a combination situation.

Robinson improved on his impressive showing in the heats to score a splendid 13.87, which heaped pressure on Butland.

To Butland's credit, he posted a near-perfect 9.67 in his run, but fell on his final wave where he required an 8.42 to win.

The fall gave Robinson a well-deserved victory and bumped him up the rankings.

The Raglan pairing of Josef Jungwirth and Navryn Malone finished third and fourth respectively.

Robinson will be back in action this weekend at the Rip Curl GromSearch in New Plymouth, followed by another event at Mount Maunganui a week later.

Meanwhile fellow Northlander Billie Scott was unable to replicate her success from the first round of the Billabong Grom Series.

After finishing runner-up in Whangamata, Scott missed out on a place in the under-20 girls' final after placing third in her semifinal.