Heading to Masons Mane for the round nine encounter, the favourites jumped out of the blocks, hitting the scoreboard within the first 10 minutes.

The game proceeded to tighten up in the remainder of the first half and early stages of the second period as neither side was able to establish dominance.  An unruly period near the end of the first half an hour of play saw two yellow cards handed out. 

A second yellow card for Bacchus Marsh’s Liam Banagan in the 67^th minute forced to Scorpions down to 10 men, however the punishment did not deter the home side who managed to equalise the score in the 73^rd minute.

It looked as though the upset had come in the 83^rd minute when Kevin Langan managed to put the Scorpions in the lead, however a late equaliser to the Rangers’ William Koerner ensured the two sides shared the points.

Bacchus Marsh coach Declan Allen said the result, which was Forest’s first draw for the season, showed that his men were gradually improving as the year progressed.

“They could have won it and we could have won it,” Allen said.  “It’s taken a few weeks, but the lads are starting to realise it’s a bit more demanding in division one.”  Despite the result the sides remain at one and six on the ladder.

Elsewhere in the division one competition, the Sebastopol Vikings were far too strong for Creswick away from home, trouncing the locals 8-0 at Doug Lindsay Reserve.

Nothing could split Ballarat and North United after 90 minutes, with the two playing out a 2-2 draw, while in the final clash of the round Vic Park upset Warrnambool 1-0.

In the division one women competition, Vic Park Blue were outclassed by Warrnambool at home, going down 6-2, while Forest Rangers were comfortable 3-0 victors over Vic Park White.

In the final clash the top of the ladder North City thumped Creswick, piling on nine second half goals to take the points 12-1.