Waves, Barwon primed for final

SURFSIDE Waves will be looking to make it back-toback grand final triumphs when they meet Barwon in this weekend’s Geelong Region Men’s Division 1 decider.

Surfside made it through after easing past Bell Park 3-0 in their semi-final yesterday, while league champion Barwon will want snare the double after knocking over Geelong Rangers by the same scoreline in their clash.

As the match between Barwon and fourth-placed Rangers started, the heavens opened up, ensuring a slippery Grovedale Reserve track for the showdown between the old local league rivals.

Barwon’s Craig CameronSmith rattled the crossbar in the third minute.

But the initial half hour was a cagey affair as both sides tried to adapt to the conditions.

Nonetheless, Barwon did manage to find the opener soon before the interval courtesy of a Michael Dolan strike in the 43rd minute.

The first chance of the second half came in the 79th minute when Benk Kai So’s floating cross to the back post found an unmarked Jordan Fletcher-Blain, whose header was parried over the crossbar by Rangers keeper Brady Webster.

It did not matter, because four minutes later CameronSmith completed a solo effort that started in his own half to slam the ball into the back of the net for the sealer.

Then with the final kick of the day, he put the icing to the cake, intercepting a Rangers pass and breaking away to slot his second and Barwon’s third past an advancing Webster.

In the other semi-final, Surfside easily accounted for Bell Park 3-0 at Shell Road Reserve in Ocean Grove.

The All Whites were given a last-minute rite of passage into the finals after Surf Coast was booted out of the series for fielding an ineligible player against Bell Park in a regular season round.

The home side led 1-0 at the break after Jonah Healy found the back of the net after only 20 minutes.

Bell Park went close five minutes into the second period, with the post standing in the way of an All Whites equaliser, while 10 minutes later Bell Park’s Martin Collins had a goal disallowed for off side.

The reigning premier then ensured it would have a shot at repeating last year’s triumph thanks to second-half goals from Healy in the 60th minute and Pat Souza in the 75th.

Surfside coach Pablo Mujica was understandably proud of his troops.

“The lads were determined and stuck to the game plan and were keen to make amends for last week’s result when we had numerous players out injured,” Mujica said.

“Today, Jonah Healey was superb as was Patrick Skuza. Everyone performed well and we are now hungry for next week.”

The grand final will be played at the Drysdale Sports Precinct on Sunday. Kick-off is at 5pm.