GEELONG Rangers clinched the GRFC Men’s Division One minor premiership with a convincing 3-1 victory over third placed Drysdale, while the previous leaders Barwon succumbed to fourth placed Surfside Waves in what can only described as one of the most dramatic finales to a local regular season in years.

It was a climactic finish to what had been one of the most closely fought home and away season in decades. By the time the Rangers-Drysdale kicked off at 3:00pm, Rangers were well aware that Surfside had beaten Barwon. This meant only a point was needed in order to secure the Dark Blues the coveted top spot finish.

Rangers did so with relative ease, courtesy of goals to Anthony Ellis, Troy Hardy and Ben Noble while League Golden Boot Louis Stockman netted his 14^th strike of the season, scoring Drysdale’s solitary goal.

After a disappointing result last week, the Surfside Waves took on league leaders Barwon in the last round of the season, which could have seen any one of the top four teams take out the league title, depending on results.

In blustery conditions at Grovedale Reserve, the Waves kicked off into the wind and saw themselves busy defending Barwon's early pressure. The midfield trio of Bond, Mandley and McClelland worked hard to stifle any build up from the hosts and against the run of play, Surfside managed to take the lead thanks to a brilliant finish by full back Aaron Bond.

The second half saw a determined Barwon come at Surfside at every opportunity, and the visitors had to be clinical with their passing out of defence.

Nonetheless, Jack Pedler secured the points for Surfside in the latter stages of the half, taking advantage of a loose ball in the box and finishing it with great composure.

In the other Division One game, Deakin Ducks annihilated the wooden spooners Corio SC 6-1 in a ‘dead rubber’ at Hume Reserve.

Surfside’s win against Barwon secured the Waves second spot and a home final next week in a re-match against the now third-placed Barwon at Shell Road Reserve, while minor premiers Rangers will host fourth placed Drysdale in another re-match at Myers Reserve.

DIVISION TWO:

THE conclusion to the Division Two season was just as dramatic, with second placed Barwon Heads overtaking the previous competition leaders Surf Coast FC to take out the minor premiership, despite not even kicking the ball last weekend.

The Hammerheads were awarded a 3-0 victory, courtesy of an Elcho Park Cardinals’ forfeit last Friday night. This meant that Barwon Heads overtook Surf Coast at the top and went into the weekend as competition leaders by one solitary point.

Surf Coast, meanwhile, needed to win in their clash with bottom side Breakwater Eagles at the White Eagle Club on Sunday to regain top spot and the ensuing minor premiership.

What transpired after the full 90 minutes can only be described as the upset of the season. A goal by Jordan Lyons either side of the break gave Breakwater a totally unexpected 2-1 victory, which completely derailed Surf Coast’s assault on the minor title.

Third placed Lara SC and fourth placed Bellarine Sharks fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Lara’s Recreation Reserve to guarantee both teams the remaining Top Four spots, denying Deakin Ducks – who finished just one point behind the duo – a shot at September Finals’ action.

In the semi-final fixtures for next weekend, Barwon Heads will host Bellarine Sharks, while Surf Coast will entertain Lara SC at home.

DIVISION THREE:

Despite recording a 12-0 drubbing of bottom side Colac Otway Rovers, second placed Geelong SC was unable to jump into top spot on the final day of the regular season in Division Three on Sunday. As such, Corio Bay Blue took out the minor premiership after securing top spot, following a 4-2 win over Surf Coast Yellow at Banyul Warri Reserve on Friday night.

Fourth placed Surfside Waves White outclassed Corio Bay Gold 6-2 to clinch the final Top Four spot, while third placed Deakin Ducks Green also ensured it would be playing in the Finals’ series after overcoming its Black team 1-0 at Banyul Warri Reserve.

That means, in next weekend’s semi finals, Corio Bay Blue will be home to Surfside Waves White, while Geelong SC will host Deakin Ducks Green in the other eliminator.

PHOTO: Rangers’ Troy Hardy (pictured, going for the ball) was one of three goalscorers for the newly crowned minor premiers against Drysdale SC last weekend (Photo: Karen van der Chys)