By: Ben SHEARS

THE FIRST round of the Mens Division 1 Pool A Finals Series kicked off last weekend with newly crowned League Champions Deakin Ducks and reigning Premiers Geelong Rangers recording convincing wins over their respective opponents.

Deakin Ducks, which finished on top of the ladder after 13 rounds of the regular season, hosted Breakwater Eagles at Deakin University last Friday night and came away from a one sided clash 6-1 winners.

Kyle Cushion scored a brace in the opening 10 minutes for the Ducks, followed by Christopher De Hoog, Ipyana Killimbe, Harry Woolley and Nicholas Musarra all netting singles apiece. Matthew Elsen scored the consolation goal for Breakwater.

Over at Banyul Warri Reserve in Torquay North, Surf Coast hosted Surfside Waves in a high scoring 5-5 stalemate. The two teams kept firing back at each other to keep the scoreline even. Marcus Jablonski led Surf Coast with a brace while Lachlan Shepherd, David Cattigan and Jay Christou all netted singles for Surf Coast. On the other side of the park, Aaron Bond, Adrian Bond, Adrian Vodopic, Liam Mcinnes and Matthew Kirk all scored singles apiece for the Waves.

The final game, which was also staged on the Friday night, saw a surprising 4-0 win in favor of Geelong Rangers over Barwon at Grovedale Reserve. The unstoppable Ben Noble scored a hat trick and Dale Harris registered a single for the ‘Gers.

Looking at this weekend’s Round 2 fixtures of the Play-Off phase, Surfside Waves and Deakin Ducks will clash on Friday night at Shell Road Reserve at 7.30pm, Breakwater Eagles will host Barwon Red on Sunday at 1.15pm while the final match see Geelong Rangers host Surf Coast on Sunday at Myers Reserve at 3pm.