After suffering a humiliating 5-1 drubbing at the hands of bottom side Corio last week, third placed Surfside Waves will be out to redeem themselves when they host leaders Geelong Rangers on Friday night, to open proceedings in Round 14 of the GRFC Men’s Division One competition.

The high flying Rangers, meanwhile, will be aiming to keep their top spot intact. If successful, they would be the first team in five weeks to maintain first position on the ladder for two weeks’ running, such has been the intense level of competition in Division One this year.

It will be a late kick-off at the Shell Road Reserve, with the game getting under way at 8:30pm.

The Deakin Ducks, who have dropped from top spot to 4^th spot in two weeks as a result of consecutive losses, will be looking for nothing less than the three points when they host bottom side Breakwater Eagles at Torquay on Sunday.

Due to the ongoing issues with the state of their Waurn Ponds ground, Deakin’s matches have been switched to Banyul Warri Reserve. A win in Sunday’s clash will see the Ducks overtake second placed Barwon (which has the bye) and possibly Surfside, depending on Friday night’s result.

In the other Division One clash, Drysdale SC could do the exact same thing as Deakin and jump several spots on the ladder, if it defeats lowly Corio SC on Sunday.

The Hawks (19 points) are on the same amount of points as Deakin and will be going into Sunday’s clash at Howard Glover Reserve fresh from a one week break, courtesy of last week’s bye.

DIVISION TWO:

It will be a case of second versus third when Barwon Heads hosts Bellarine Sharks in Division Two’s Match of the Day on Friday night at Barwon Heads Village Park on Friday night.

The clash will take on even more significance for the home side. A gala event has been planned for the night, with several high ranking local politicians invited to attend the festivities.

The Hammerheads are throwing a ‘thank-you bash’ for local politicians, including federal MP Sarah Henderson and City of Greater Geelong councillor Andy Richards, who helped the club receive funds to install a new pitch and erect floodlights at their ground.

The Sharks will be aiming to spoil the party in what is expected to be an enthralling ‘Battle of Bellarine’ clash. Kick-off is at 8:00pm.

In the pick of the other games, 6^th placed Elcho Park Cardinals will take on leaders Surf Coast FC in a last ditch assault on a top four final’s spot at Elcho Park in Lara, also on Friday night. Kick-off is set down for 7:30pm.

DIVISION THREE:

League leaders Geelong SC travel to Surf Coast Blue in another mouthwatering Friday night clash, in Round 14 of the Men’s Division Three competition.

Geelong, which suffered an upset 2-3 loss to mid table Surf Coast Yellow last week, will be gunning for revenge against Surf Coast’s Blue team this week.

Meanwhile, Surf Coast - who along with three other clubs (Barwon White, Surfside Waves Blue and Surfside Waves White) jointly share fourth spot with 22 points - will be looking to breaking away from the pack with a win against the Lions.

Kick-off for Friday night’s clash at Banyul Warri Reserve is set down for 8:30pm.

In the other Division Three game of significance, 6^th placed Surfside Waves take on 3^rd placed Deakin Ducks Green at Ocean Grove’s Shell Road Reserve in another Friday night fixture. Kick-off is at 7:30pm.

PHOTO: Veteran Troy Hardy will spearhead the Rangers attack in this weekend’s clash with Surfside Waves (Photo: Karen van der Chys)