By: Lorcan MATHEWS

DRYSDALE SC stated its case as serious GRFC Women’s Division One title contenders with an outstanding performance against league heavyweights and reigning champions Deakin Ducks last Saturday afternoon at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus, coming home with a point in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

In an even first half, Deakin scored early in the 12th minute through Sarah Fry, only for Serena Clapp to level things up at 1-1. A fine free kick from long range saw Deakin again take the lead 2-1 though Hannah Gordon in the 65th minute, with a handball in the penalty area shortly afterwards allowing Shannon Daffy to slam home the equaliser from the spot.

Jess Leaming put her body on the line with a goal-saving tackle on the line to keep Deakin from scoring a winning goal. Drysdale had more than its share of the play in the second half and had a few great chances to win the game but it was an encouraging performance for last season’s Runners-Up in what should be a successful season for the Drysdale girls.

Barwon Heads 3 v 5 Barwon

ANOTHER eight-goal thriller involving Barwon SC in the clash of the Barwons as the Heads hosted Barwon SC under lights at Village Park last Friday night. Barwon SC went into the break 2-1 up, however the second period was similar to the Barwon Senior Men’s game, which saw an unbelievable amount of second half goals, with no less than five scored in the second period alone.

This rampage in front of goal saw Jane Lucas’ Barwon SC outfit come away with all three points. The goalscorers for Barwon were all singles by Michaela Buchanan, Alyse Lyndal Cook, Annie Gould, Giselle Harris and Olivia Parrington. The goalscorers for Barwon Heads were not submitted.

Surf Coast 2 v 1 Surfside Waves

THE Battle for ‘Coastal supremacy’ took place on Saturday at Banyul Warri Reserve in Torquay North, with both the hosts Surf Coast and the Waves looking to go undefeated following this entertaining Round 2 encounter.

In the end, it was Mariela Pocklington’s Surf Coast outfit which looked the more stronger in their defensive back four, allowing ‘Waves’ minimal shots on target. Rebecca McGlinchey and Samantha Walsh were the goalscorers for the triumphant hosts, while the name of the sole goalscorer for Surfside was not submitted.

This Friday night, Surfside Waves host the resurgent Barwon SC, while Surf Coast faces a tough task away to Kardinia College, whose free scoring playing style caught the eye of many last weekend.

Geelong SC 1 v 8 Kardinia International College

A STATEMENT of intent was dished out by Kardinia College, with four goals to Caelli Wood in an 8-1 rout of Geelong SC at Stead Park to close out the Women’s Division 1 Round 2 fixtures.

In form Kardinia sharpshooter Wood has now registered five goals in just two appearances for the “Students’, indeed a frightening prospect already for opposition clubs. Kardinia is at home to Surf Coast on Saturday, with the game set for a 1pm kick-off.

Geelong SC, under head coach Lube Jovanovski meanwhile, will need to repair the weekend’s damage when the Lions come up against an impressive Drysdale this Saturday at Howard Glover at 3pm.