Play was delayed almost 20 minutes as a thunderstorm rolled through Eynesbury just after 7:00am this morning

The morning field had to contend with a number of heavy showers which almost brought a stop to play.

Overnight co-leader James Gibellini was out early and a bogey on his second hole (the 9^th) saw him slip back into a share of the leader with Daniel Fox and Kris Mueck.

Back-to-back birdies on the 12^th and 13^th before he eventually finished 1-under for the day and 6-under for the round.

Queenslander Blake Proverbs was in hot pursuit of the overnight leaders, his hot streak on the front 9 which included consecutive birdies on 6, 7 and 8 saw him move to 5-under.

Back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13 saw Proverbs move to 7-under and the outright lead

Round of the morning went to Bacchus Marsh native Josh Younger, after beginning the day at even par Younger fired a bogey-free 6-under 66 to into second place.

Younger’s back-9 32 was the catalyst for the round with birdies on 12, 13, 16 and 17.

The afternoon field were faced with even tougher conditions than the morning as the increased and storms rolled through.

Round of the afternoon went to WA’s Brody Martin with a 5-under 67.

Tomorrow’s action begins at 7.30am with the leader on course from 1pm.