FOR the third time in as many weeks, a new Men’s Division One leader has ascended to the throne, with Surfside Waves taking over top spot following a thrilling 1-0 victory over the previous competition pacesetters, Deakin Ducks, in Round 12 action last weekend.

 The game, which was transferred to Torquay’s Banyul Warri Reserve as a result of the poor state of Deakin’s pitch, saw the only goal of the game scored in the second half, courtesy of a Jack Peddler strike.

 The win has thrust the Waves into top spot with 21 points, just one clear of second placed Rangers on 20 points.

 The Dark Blues could only manage a 1-1 draw in their clash at Grovedale Reserve with Barwon SC Red, with Michael Stokes scoring for the Bell Post Hill side and Oliver Hunniford registering his second goal in two consecutive games for the home side.

 The draw didn’t do either side any favours, with the Rangers squandering a gilt edged opportunity to go clear at the top, while Barwon, previously in 4^th place, slipping down a spot on the standings to 5^th position.

 In the other Division One game, Andrew Scott and Dougie Weeks scored a goal apiece to lead Drysdale SC to a comfortable 2-0 win over Breakwater Eagles at Howard Glover Reserve. The win sees the Hawks leapfrog Barwon into 5^th spot on the ladder.

 Bottom side Corio SC had the bye.

 DIVISION TWO:

 DEAKIN Ducks marched into the Top Four of the Division Two competition in style, following an 11-1 annihilation of bottom side Breakwater Eagles at the Whie Eagle Club last Sunday.

 Deakin’s goalscorers included Josh Priest with a four goal haul, Mitchell Reid with a hat-trick, Ipy Killimbe who scored a double and singles to Sam McClintok and Todd Mexted. One of the few highlights for the very young Eagles outfit was a spectacular long-range effort from Barboros Kara.

 In other games, a courageous eight man Elcho Park Cardinals fought valiantly before going down 1:2 to Barwon SC Blue at Elcho Park on Sunday. What was even more impressive for the home side, was the fact that the Cardinals played with just seven players for the better part of the last 60 minutes.

 In other games, Surf Coast maintained its four point gap at the top of the ladder with a narrow 1-0 win over 3^rd placed Bellarine Sharks, Lara SC jumped into 4^th spot with a 3-0 win over Drysdale and second placed Barwon Heads accounted for Bell Park 6-3 in a high scoring affair at the Bell Park Sports Club.

 DIVISION THREE:

 GEELONG SC continued on its merry way atop the Division Three competition with a comfortable 3-1 win against third placed Surfside Waves White at Shell Road Reserve in Ocean Grove last Friday night.

 The Red and Blacks had three individual goalscorers with Steven Ginoski, Michael Nikolovski and Isaac Padula all hitting the back of the net, while Eric Taylor was the Waves’ lone goal scorer.

 The loss sees Surfside Waves drop down a spot, they now find themselves in 4^th position on the competition ladder with 22 points, while Geelong remains on top with 31 points.

 Second placed Corio Bay SC Blue (29 points) maintained striking distance from top spot, with a 2-0 win over lowly Deakin Ducks Black, but Deakin’s Green team had better luck, ascending into 3rd spot (23 points), following an easy 4-2 win over the third Deakin club in the competition, bottom side Deakin Ducks Gold.

 In the other games of significance, Lara SC has overtaken Barwon SC White and jumped into 5^th spot on the ladder, following a 4-2 win over Bellarine Sharks, while Barwon could only manage a 3-3 draw in their clash with 12^th placed Corio Bay Gold.