Having won 12 of 13 home and away matches in 2004, there was a fair bit of expectation on the under 10 West team coming into the lightning premiership matches. But the boys stood up to the pressure when it counted and won last Sundays premiership. It wasn?t all plain sailing and the Hampton Rovers lost their second match to Oakleigh Dragons in a tough encounter. After accounting for The grand final was against Mordi Braeside, the team that beat us in the lightning premiership grand final last year. Alex Whalebone captained the side with Josh McPherson as his vice captain. Hampton Rovers got off to a great start with goals to Josh McPherson and Hayden Ueckerman and led by 16 points at half time. In the second half the Rovers continued to dominate play. With the ball hardly going past the half back line and a goal to Matthew Broadley, Hampton Rovers ran out winners 3 goals 6 behinds to 1 behind. Josh McPhersons fine play won him the award for the best player on the ground as judged by the League officials. Well done Josh and well done to all the players for a fine team effort. Goal kickers through the lightning premiership matches were: Tim Witherow 4, Alex Whalebone 4, Matthew Broadley 2, Lachlan Hay 1, Jackson Wheeler 1, Daniel Vass 1, Josh McPherson 1, Hayden Ueckerman 1. Coach Phil Witherow paid tribute to the support he received from the parents throughout the season and gained great satisfaction from seeing the development of the skills of the players.
