West Australians continue to have a stranglehold on the topend of the Oates Vic Open leaderboard following the morning fiend of round two.

Stephen Leaney showed his experience setting up plenty of birdie opportunities thanks to his irons.

The two time Victorian Open champion fired a 4-under 68 today to be 7-under the card and tied third with Adam Blyth who had an impressive 5-under the card in round two.

Playing later in the morning field, Dartnall got hot in the middle of his round firing four birdies in five holes.  

Also a WA boy, Dartnall enjoyed playing in the wind on the creek course to finish his round with 5-under the card to be outright second on 8-under.

"It’s going to be a windy weekend which always keeps things tough and interesting.  It gets pretty windy in summer back home, so we get used to it," said Dartnall who thanks to the flat stick is in contention for a much needed victory.

"My putting has improved a bit; I have been working on that over the off season. So that one thing I feel a bit more comfortable with."

"A win would be great, especially in the first event of the year. My status isn’t that great so it would get me into everything, and importantly the Perth International, so it would mean a lot."

With Scott Strange currently on course at 10-undet the card the top-3 spots belong to the sandgropers.

Michael Sim adds another star from the West to the leaderboard. He is tied 5^th with Matt Griffin and pre-qualifier James Gibellini.

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