The Hampton Rovers have moved a step closer to the finals with a 10-point win over Emmaus St Leos in wet conditions at Boss James Reserve on Saturday.
Overnight rain brought damp conditions for the players resulting in a scrappy and low scoring game. After defeating Melbourne High the previous week, Emmaus were keen to keep their good form going.
Rovers kicked 2 goals to 1 in the first term and held a 9-point lead at the first break. Rovers continued their inaccurate kicking in the 2nd quarter again kicking 2 goals 5 to Emmaus 1.1 to hold a 25-point lead at half time.
The third term produced much the same as the previous 2 quarters with the Rovers scoring 2 goals to 1.
The Rovers held a 26-point lead at three quarter time but let the away side back in the game in the final term. Rovers hung on to win by 10 points.
The margin should have been greater for the Rovers having 23 scoring shots compared to Emmaus 13.
Best players for the Rovers were Browne, Adams, Prantzos, Carr, Hughes and Guy Martyn in his first senior game for 2004. Stephen Anderson, Browne,
Rovers are now equal 4th on the ladder, just out of the top 4 on percentage, with 2 games remaining and face a vital match next weekend against 2nd-placed Caulfield.
The Reserves continued their winning ways defeating Emmaus by 79 points. Best on ground were Crisp, Duddy and Loring while Duddy kicked 4 goals with 3 each to Brudar and Ng.