By: Lachlan SHIRLEY

THE GEELONG Region Women’s Division 1 competition kicked off last weekend in cold, windy and wet conditions with Surf Coast FC, Kardinia International College and Barwon SC all managing to stay out of the wintry conditions as they had a welcome opening round bye.

PHOTO: The newly formed Geelong Rangers Women’s team pose for a team photo prior to their historic debut game against Deakin last Saturday.

Reigning Grand Final champions Deakin Ducks took on the new kids on the block Geelong Rangers at the Deakin University Waurn Ponds campus on Saturday. In a closely fought game contested in terrible conditions, the Ducks narrowly triumphed over the Rangers 1-0 with Meg Siejka scoring the only goal of the game.

Over at the Drysdale Sporting Precinct, reigning league champions Drysdale SC hosted newly promoted Bell Park SC also on Saturday afternoon. It was an historic occasion as it was the Drysdale club’s first game at the newly built Precinct.

Nonetheless, Bell Park was in no mood to come to the party and somewhat spoiled the day for the home side, defeating Drysdale 1-2.

Drysdale scored an own goal to put Bell Park into the lead and Liz Sarcevic scored Park’s second to put them two ahead. Catie Hodge managed to score for Drysdale but it proved nothing more than a consolation goal.

Lachlan Shirley is a young SEDA student, currently doing work experience with FFV Geelong. He will be compiling regular weekly reports on the Geelong Region Men’s and Women’s Division 1 competitions.