1ST SEMI FINAL - HAMPTON U16 vs. EAST BRIGHTON U16

The entire Hampton Rovers U16 team’s season hung on the fate of one game in this do or die Semi Final against arch rivals East Brighton. For the past two years, this Rovers team had finished in the top two, allowing for a double chance. However, the 2012 season saw a 4th finish, meaning we would have to overcome 3rd placed East Brighton for the right to play in the Preliminary Final the following week.

After a very busy week of preparation, which culminated in full availabilities (except for our captain, Brayden Maynard) for the first time this season, the boys were ready to tackle East Brighton, who ironically were the last top 4 side that we had beaten during the season.

The surface at Toorak Park proved to be an issue, with the game destined to be a scrappy affair. Our gallant back-line continually repelled any East Brighton forward movement, and our forwards were running rings around East Brighton defenders. Unfortunately, neither side could really affect the scoreboard, with the scores reading 1.1.7 Hampton to East Brighton yet to score.

The second quarter is where we really hit our strides. Our on-ball brigade was causing havoc, in particular Will Egan-Griffiths and Tom Larkworthy. Tom Fisher was instrumental across the backline, which resulted in East Brighton only registering a solitary point of the quarter. Conar MacLeod presented well across the half-forward line, and our mosquito fleet of Joel Blacker, Joel Balleggi and Marty Ho were creating immense forward pressure culminating in the Rovers would take a 20-point lead into half time.

The third quarter was just about continuing the way we’ve been playing, and putting a bit more scoreboard pressure on. Michael Slater was continually crashing packs and intimidating the opposition, and Josh Elston was really taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Corey Quinlivan went down midway through the quarter with a suspected leg injury, but there were promising signs when he was jogging up and down the boundary early in the last quarter. Inaccuracy on the scoreboard ultimately left the door ajar for East Brighton, but at three-quarter time with a 28-point lead, the Rovers already had one foot into the Preliminary Final.

We knew the Vampires would come hard at us in the first five minutes of the last quarter, and this assumption proved correct. They slammed on two quick goals to cut the margin to 15 points, and the heart started beating a little bit faster. The boys were able to hold the Vampires scoreless for several minutes after this flurry of goals, which worked in our favour. With four minutes to play in the game, the ball was kicked inside fifty to a strong lead of Will Egan-Griffiths, who marked and immediately went down with cramp, which meant Michael Slater would kick to seal the match. Will was carried off, and we all sat in hope as Slats lined up from 30 meters out on a slight angle. The crowd told the story as the ball sailed right to left through the goals.

When the final siren rung at 2:45 PM, the Rovers were 6.9.45 to the Vampires 3.7.25. We will take on Ormond in the do or die Preliminary Final next week, with the winner to tackle reigning premiers East Malvern at Le Page Park the following week.

FINAL SCORES
Hampton:              1.1.7                     4.3.27                    5.7.37                    6.9.45
East Brighton:        0.0.0                     0.1.1                      1.3.9                     3.7.25

Goal Scorers:
Hampton: P. Stevenson 2, M. Slater, C. MacLeod, J. Blacker, T. Larkworthy
East Brighton: T. Nicholls, J. Holden, T. Garner

Best Players:
Hampton: T. Fisher, T. Currie, W. Egan-Griffiths, J. Elston, C. MacLeod, M. Ho
East Brighton: J. Holden, J. McClelland, T. Garner, E. Avis, E. Tait, S. Weatherby

U14 DIV2 – Coach Rod Rae

In slippery conditions at Moorleigh Reserve on Sunday the Hampton Rovers U/14's had a real arm wrestle with Cheltenham.  The Rovers showed great courage and determination to defeat Cheltenham 4.3.27 to 1.7.13.  Every team member contributed to the victory with special mention to Hamish Brayshaw, Fraser Gregson, Ned Murray, Sam Morris, Angus and Geordie McPherson.  The Rovers next assignment is a Preliminary Final next Sunday against Ormond.

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