By: Ben SHEARS

FOLLOWING last weekend’s clashes in Round 1 of the new GRFC Men’s Division 1 season, the newly expanded 14 team competition saw a total of seven games played around the region.

PHOTO: Action from the clash between Deakin Ducks Green and Geelong SC at Stead Park last Sunday.

Kicking off the season on Friday night, the Surfside Waves hosted Deakin Ducks Gold and suffered an unexpected 6-1 thrashing. With the game witnessing a back and forth struggle between the two combatants in the opening stages of the game, the tempo suddenly changed when Deakin got a penalty in the 25^th minute to start the rapid series of six goals in 17 minutes. The goalscorers for Deakin were Harry Woolley with a hat-trick, Troy Harrison with a brace and Shannon Kearns with a single.

Breakwater Eagles hosted Drysdale at the White Eagle Club on Sunday. The game was controlled by Drysdale, who led 2-0 at the main break. The scored remained the same until about 20 minutes were left on the clock, when the Drysdale defense became complacent and conceded two quick goals which brought the game to a stalemate. Goals scorers for Drysdale included Rhys Clapp and Lachlan Maddox while Jack Wilson scored for the Eagles, as well as an own goal.

The newly promoted Surf Coast took on reigning Champions Geelong Rangers at the Banyul Warri Reserve in Torquay, with the home side running out 3-2 winners over the undermanned Rangers in a spectacular opening round encounter. The three individual goalscorers for Surf Coast included Michael Pocklington, David Cattigan and Scott James. Meanwhile, Scott Davison and David Ellis scored for the visiting team.

Across town at the Bell Park Sports Centre in Batesford, Bell Park hosted Barwon Red in a high scoring affair. Although Bell Park managed to net two goals, it wasn’t enough as the visitors ran out emphatic 9-2 winners. Sean Mahon recorded a hat-trick, Jamie Monteith scored a brace, while Halil Hussein, Josh Robinson and Hayden Williams all managed a single goal apiece.

Over at Deakin’s magnificent newly laid synthetic pitch, Barwon Blue arrived to face off against the Deakin Black side. The teams were 0-0 until the 20^th minute when Michael Goodhew opened the scoring, which was followed by another goal from Thomas Saw less than a minute later. A further goal by Jacob Kelly, saw the teams go into the half time break with the score at 3-0. In the second half, Timothy Brain and Beng Kai So both scored to make it 5-0 to Deakin.

Barwon Heads faced off against Elcho Park Cardinals in Barwon Heads, in the battle between two newly promoted teams from last year’s Division Two. In the end, the home side easily ran out comfortable winners with a 4-1 scoreline. Robert Armstrong and Benjamin Kelly both got singles apiece, while captain David Corden scored a brace. Zrin Pezer scored the consolation goal for Elcho Park.

In the final Division One clash, the Deakin Ducks Green travelled to Stead Park to take on Geelong SC with the entertaining game ending in a 2-2 stalemate. After Geelong led 2-0 with just minutes to go, the Ducks came back with two late goals in the dying stages of the encounter. A penalty from Declan McNamara in the 88^th minute made the result 2-1, then a lucky goal to Albert Antony in the 90^th brought the scores level and that’s how it finished.