LUKE Hitchings mounted an early assault in the final of the Gunston 500 in Durban on Sunday to claim the title and the R60 000 ($9,780) first prize. Australian Hitchings beat compatriot Koby Abberton into second place with American Adam Replogle third and another Australian, Mick Campbell, in fourth place. Greg Emslie, the last South African in the men’s event, was eliminated after finishing third in his semi-final. On Saturday, world champion surfer Layne Beachley scored a hard-fought victory in the women’s final of the Gunston 500. South Africa’s Heather Clark was third.