Rovers Dig Deep Against the Wellers
Hampton Rovers bounced back after recent disappointments with a stirring 13 point win over the highly fancied Old Camberwell at Boss James Reserve last Saturday.
The game commenced in almost perfect football conditions with the home team kicking with a slight wind advantage. As expected, the match started at break neck speed and the Wellers fleet of onballers put pressure on the Rovers defence. Rovers goal sneak Matt Lawrence snapped truly and the experienced Stephen Anderson followed with another. Gary Carr, showing the form that earned him selection in the VAFA representative squad, also slotted one and at the first break the Rovers led 3.3.21 to 2.3.15.
The second quarter started well for the home team with Lawrence kicking his second. But the visitors bounced back with a goal immediately and both sides battled to gain the ascendancy. For the Rovers, Carr, and Michael Davey were dominating, while Gerard Woods playing his 100th senior game for the club was the backbone in defence. At the main break the Rovers had a 5-point lead.
The premiership quarter opened perfectly for the Rovers with skipper Chief Fletcher marking strongly in the square and goaling. Old Camberwell kicked the next three goals and the Rovers looked to be in trouble. But they showed their mettle, and with goals to Power and Devereaux, both scored against the flow of play, resulted in the Rovers having a five-point lead at the final change.
In his three quarter time address, Rovers coach Brett McIlwraith exhorted his chargers to find something extra in the last 30 minutes. He urged the players to repeat their commitment and work ethic when they had prevailed kicking against the wind in earlier matches this year. And they did just that. The ball raced from end to end and the defences of both teams were under enormous pressure. The enthralling struggle was broken when the Rovers Stephen Anderson charged through a pack and kicked a magnificent running goal. Devereauxs goal in the final minute sealed it and the Rovers emerged victorious 11.10.76 to 8.15.63.
Best for the Rovers were; Gerard Woods, James McCarthy, Gary Carr, Michael Davey, Daniel Anderson and Mark Devereaux.
Goalkickers: Lawrence 2, S Anderson 2, Devereaux 2, Fletcher, Greenwood, Power, Browne, Carr.
The Rovers reserves won easily against Old Camberwell 16.7.103 to 10.3.63. The win puts them up to third on the ladder with only one loss for the season. Best for the Rovers were Kelly Spratt and from the USA, Jarad Brunmire. Alan Brudar kicked 6 goals with Malthouse and Hanlon kicking 3 each.
The Under 19s scored their second win for the year at the expense of neighbouring Ormond. The Rovers won by nine points after a fight back that saw them snatch the lead in the dying minutes. Best for the victors was Leigh Cave while Cannell kicked 5 goals.