ETHAN Devaney inspired Weyline to an emphatic 3-0 win over reigning champions Rendezvous in the Weymouth Sunday League Premiership.
Devaney put Weyline in front from the spot after Danny Andrews had been tripped by keeper Ant Luque but the Vous soon responded with Carl McClements striking the bar at the other end.
Lee Pattison then hit a post for Weyline before Andrews shot just inches wide at the end of the half as the game remained finely balanced at the break.
The early stages of the second period were a lot more tentative but when Devaney eventually made it 2-0 with a tap-in on 74 minutes the game came to life again.
With tensions now running high, a fracas soon broke out following another clash between Luque and Andrews, which resulted in two dismissals and a booking.
Luque and Andrews received red and yellow cards respectively, while Weyline’s Nigel Evans was given his marching orders for raising his hands.
That unsavoury incident threatened to wreck the rest of the encounter with challenges starting to fly in from all angles but the hosts kept their composure and went on to add a third through Andrews, who capitalised on a mistake by stand-in keeper Michael Stone in the closing stages.
The result takes Weyline a point clear of Rodwell and Quayside at the top of the table.
Rodwell, who have played a game less, claimed a superb 5-2 win at Tua-tara Bar while the Quay overcame Alexandra 5-1. On target for the T-Bar were Bobby Jones and Tom Grattidge.
The other game in the top flight saw Duke of Albany draw 2-2 with Britannia at the Piggery.
The Britannia came from 2-0 down to earn a point against an industrious Duke side and were unlucky not to claim all three points with a flurry of good chances missed in the closing stages.
Dean Williams fired the Duke ahead from a controversial penalty in the second period and the Brit found themselves two down within minutes when Chris Philbrick fired a pacey low effort which skipped off the greasy surface and under the outstretched Craig Brogden.
With 25 minutes remaining on the clock the Brit sacrificed a defender and went all out for goals, introducing Danny Moore and Simon True to the fray.
They were gifted some good fortune on 80 minutes as Neil Innes spilled a loose ball into his own net to make it 2-1.
Kieran Cairnduff then continued his goalscoring form for the Brit with a neat turn and rasping effort, which travelled across the face of Innes’ goal and into the far corner, setting-up a frantic final five minutes.
The momentum was now clearly with the home side as they pushed for all three points.
First Liam Gould crossed for Stu Burley but the skipper was unable to guide his header on target.
Cairnduff then narrowly squeezed an effort wide and before the final whistle Ben Milton travelled up for a corner only to see his header crash off the Duke bar.
Meanwhile, down in the Champion-ship, Wellworthy continued their 100 per cent start to the campaign with a 6-1 victory over Moby Dick’s.
Phil Lee was the star, netting a hat-trick on his debut, which included a stunning free-kick from 22 yards.
Richie Gould, Darren Knight and Matt Brown also found the net for the table-toppers although the latter did see red late on for a reckless challenge.
The second-bottom Moby also had a man sent off towards the end of the first half for persistent fouling, which resulted in a second yellow card.
Rock trail Wellworthy on goal difference after a 3-0 win over Galaxy Lions, while Sailors Return are third after extending their unbeaten run to three with a 0-0 draw against Dolphin.
Elsewhere, there were 3-2 victories for Broadmayne and Old Castle at Medics Away and Market House respectively, while Belvedere captured a 5-3 triumph over Clipper.
Debutant Ashley Hine grabbed a hat-trick for the Belve, whose other two goals came from Greg Collins. Their man of the match though was Jamie Rawlings for a tireless display.
Weymouth Sunday League Premiership: Britannia Inn 2 Duke of Albany 2, Alexandra 1 Quayside 5, Tuatara Bar 2 Rodwell 5, Weyline 3 Rendezvous 0.
Championship: Wellworthy 6 Moby Dick’s 1, Rock 3 Galaxy Lions 0, Belvedere 5 Clipper 3, Medics Away 2 Broadmayne 3, Market House 2 Old Castle 3, Sailors Return 0 Dolphin 0.
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