Rovers go down fighting to Ormond

The Hampton Rovers slumped to their 4^th successive defeat on Saturday at the hands of Ormond. Good football conditions greeted both sides at E.E. Gunn Reserve and the Rovers were keen to repeat their performance in the corresponding game back in Round 4 which resulted in a 13-point Rovers victory, however it wasn?t to be as the green ?n gold’s fell short by just 9 points.

The home side kicked with the wind in the opening term and kicked 5 goals to the Rovers 2 holding a 20 point lead at the first break. The Rovers had more scoring shots in the 2^nd term but didn?t fully capitalise on their opportunities. However they did manage 5 majors to Ormond’s single to be down by just 3 points at the main break.

The two sides emerged from the sheds and the intensity levels stepped up a gear in the third term. Ormond managed 5 goals with the wind while the Rovers were held goalless. At the final break, it was Ormond in control with a 41 point lead.

The Rovers put in a good performance in the final term and got close, but not close enough. Again, missed opportunities were costly for the Hampton side, and who known what may have been had these been converted. Still, the Rovers produced 6 goals in the final quarter to Ormond’s 2. As the final hooter sounded, it was the home side prevailing by 9 points to take the Buxton Cup.

Hampton Rovers     2.1   7.6   7.7      13.15 (93)

Ormond                 5.3   8.3   13.12   15.12 (102)

Best players for the Rovers were Sam Parkinson, Gary Carr, Paul Adams, Daniel Gribbin, Matt Terech and Daniel Anderson.

Anthony Browne, Daniel Gribbin and Heath Tregear kicked 2 goals each, with singles to Andersen, Batt, Cannell, Devereaux, Greenwood, Ward and Woods.

The defeat leaves the Rovers second bottom on the ladder with a tough task ahead to avoid relegation. VAFA C Section is a close competition in 2006. Hampton along with Old Paradians sit on 16 points, both Fitzroy Reds & North Old Boys sit one game ahead on 20 points, Parkdale Vultures & Old Camberwell are one game ahead of them on 24 points. And 3^rd & 4^th positions belong to Ormond and Monash who are both on 28 points – just 3 games clear of the Rovers.

Every game is vital for the Rovers and next week they face up against Old Camberwell at Boss James Reserve. The Rovers haven?t seen D Section action since 1995 when they won the premiership – the beginning of a successful era which saw 3 premierships in 6 years and 3 years up in B section for the proud Hampton club. The Rovers need your support to ensure they remain in C section, rebuild, and push for finals action in 2007! Go Rovers!

In Saturday’s other results, the Reserves also went down. Best for the Rovers were Lake, Power, Agushi, McDonald, Quon and Mosbey. While Agushi, Blick, Hille, Mudge and Quon all kicked a goal each.

It was better news for the Under 19’s who recorded a big win at Boss James Reserve, kicking 22 goals to defeat Powerhouse/Sth Mornington by 108 points. Lyall, McCoy, Ross, Davis, Smith & Pinto were among the Rovers best. Pinto, Schafer and White all kicked 4 goals each. Lyall kicked 3 while Davis, Law, Marasco, Morecroft, Ross, Trembath and Young all recorded singles. The win lifts the 19’s to 5^th on the ladder, however there is currently a 4 game gap between them and the 4^th placed side.