BALLARAT has almost locked up top position in Ballarat and District Soccer Association division one.
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And it can thank Forest Rangers for helping secure a decisive edge four rounds out from the finals.
While leading scorer Luke Moodley was putting five goals away to take his season tally to 21 as Ballarat defeated Vic Park 5-1 on Sunday, fifth-placed Forest Rangers upset second-placed Sebastopol 1-0.
This gives Ballarat a seven-point advantage over Sebastopol.
In another surprise, North United, which is well outside the top four, had the better of Warrnambool.
MEANWHILE, Warrnambool maintains a cushion at the top of women's division one.
Warrnambool swamped North United Black 9-2 at Russell Square to move away to a five-point break over North United White with three home and away rounds remaining. Isabel Wilkinson slotted home five goals - giving her 19 for the season.
The Rangers went into round 17 just three points clear, but White was held to a draw by Vic Park.
DIVISION 1
Ballarat 5 (L. Moodley 5) d Vic Park 1
North United 3 (J. Beggs, J. Leach) d Warrnambool 2
Forest Rangers 1 d Sebastopol 0
LADDER: Ballarat 41, Sebastopol 34, Warrnambool 32, Vic Park 31, Forest Rangers 27, North United 19, Castlemaine 16
DIVISION 2
Ballarat 4 (K. Akakpo 2, L. Dempsey, B. Chalmers) d Vic Park 1
Forest Rangers 1 drew with Sebastopol 1
North Ballarat d Warrnambool details not supplied
Castlemaine v Creswick details not supplied
LADDER: Ballarat 40, Vic Park 39, Sebastopol 30, Forest Rangers 28, Warrnambool 23, North United 16, Creswick 12, Castlemaine 3
DIVISION 3
Ballarat 3 (G. Skyrme , H. Sacco, P. Frary) d Forest Rangers 1
Daylesford 5 (Z. Drogriski 2, A. Bennani, D. Hackenberger, J. Toohey) d Vic Park 2
Horsham 3 d Creswick 0
LADDER: Daylesford 45, Ballarat 32, Bacchus Marsh 31, Creswick 29, Horsham 21, Vic Park 19, Forest Rangers 18
WOMEN’S DIVISION 1
Warrnambool 9 (I. Wilkinson 5, S. Rantall 2, L. Pawape , I. Stewart) d North United Black 2
North United White 2 (L. Cushion, Z. Wathen) drew with Vic Park 2
LADDER: Warrnambool 45, North United White 40, Forest Rangers 34, Vic Park 16, North United Black 13