GEELONG Region Men’s Division 1 Semi-Finals witnessed some interesting results from the two games played last weekend, with league champions Barwon and second placed Rangers progressing through to this Sunday’s Grand Final – but not before having to overcome small roadblocks along the way.

Rangers defeated a determined young Eagles side 3-2 in extra time at Myers Reserve to book their annual place in the Men’s Division 1 grand final at Stead Park on Sunday.

After earning a two goal lead at the break, courtesy of a brace by Zac Harry, it should have been enough for the Rangers to comfortably take control of the game but the energetic visitors were running on adrenalin and pegged two back shortly after the interval through Nicholas Clissold and Jack Plunkett.

Veteran midfielder Scott Davison, playing with a bandaged head after a scary clash of heads with an Eagles’ opponent, hit in one of his numerous pinpoint crosses in the second-half of extra time. Matt Long met it perfectly, nodding it in to give Rangers the match winning strike.

Meanwhile, across town at Grovedale Reserve, Barwon ran out 4-2 winners over Surfside Waves in an incident filled semi-final that was controversially cut short by the referee with approximately six minutes to go.

The home side got off to a fantastic start in the opening stages of the clash and stormed to a 3-0 lead within the first quarter of an hour.

Sean Mahon opened the scoring in the 4^th minute before doubling Barwon’s lead on eight minutes. Adam Leather made it 3-0 in the 14^th minute.

The Barwon midfield was pulling the strings while the attacking trio of Craig Cameron-Smith, Nathan Drazinic and Leather was causing havoc in the final third of the pitch.

The Waves, however, managed to claw their way back with two goals either side of half time, Stu Mandley finding the back of the net in the first half while Mathew Kirk scored in the second.

Nonetheless, a 53^rd minute goal by Drazinic put to rest any hope the Ocean Grove outfit had of causing an unlikely boilover.

Following allegations of crowd abuse directed at the referee and linesman by certain sections of the away supporters, the match official controversially called off the game with six minutes to go on the clock and Barwon running out 4-2 winners.

Somewhat battered and bruised, the triumphant Barwon team will go into Sunday’s final against Rangers looking to avenge their 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Dark Blues in Round 16 – their only loss of the season.

PHOTO: A file photo of Rangers (dark blue) and Barwon SC from a few seasons ago. The two sides will meet in Sunday's Men's Division 1 Grand Final at Stead Park (Photo: K-van Photography)