Last quarter effort sees Ajax down Rovers

As was the case earlier in the year when the same two teams met, Ajax’s fitness showed through in the second half as the Rovers dropped off and went down by 30 points at Elsternwick Park on Saturday. It wasn?t all bad news though with Hampton moving up a spot on the ladder out of relegation zone.

It was perfect conditions at VAFA Headquarters as the Rovers-Ajax rivalry was all set for another chapter. After the Reserves win earlier in the day, Hampton was fired up and they showed this early kicking the opening two goals in as many minutes.

The Rovers kicked another three for the quarter while the second-placed Ajax managed just the one with the green ?n gold’s holding a 25 point lead at the opening break.

The second quarter was more of the same for the Rovers as they kicked another four majors with the ?home? side kicking three. At the main break, it was Hampton by 31 points. However the Rovers weren?t to be complacent and they were reminded on what occurred back in Round 7 at Boss James Reserves with Ajax’s second half turn-around.

Ajax’s fitness started to show in the third term as the Rovers begun to tire and a few players were affected by injury. Hampton posted two goals while Ajax kicked five to reduce the margin to just nine points at the final break.

Early on in the last quarter, Ajax took the lead for the first time in the game and went on to kick seven goals while the Rovers failed to post a major. At the final siren, it was Ajax by 30 points.

Rovers captain Anthony Browne was the stand-out player on the ground with a solid performance including 4 goals. He was well supported by Nick Henry, Paul Adams, Gerrard Woods, Gary Carr and Ben Kezlias. As well as Browne’s 4 goals, Chief Fletcher kicked 2 along with Nick Henry and Joel Steendam, while Chris Lambert managed a single.

With North Old Boys suffering a hefty defeat, the Rovers still managed to move up a position on the ladder, moving out of the relegation zone, just, by about 1 percent. With two games remaining in 2006, the Rovers need two big wins to ensure C grade survival. It all starts next week with the final home game of the year against Parkdale Vultures. Make sure you?re at Boss James Reserve to support the Rovers. The following week they take on Fitzroy Reds in Round 18 at Brunswick Street Oval.

The Reserves put in a good performance to defeat Ajax by 26 points. Best players for the Rovers were Matt Terech, Nathan Morecroft, Michael Davis, Jarred Schafer, Josh Schmitz and Adam Power. Morecroft was great up front with 5 goals, Josh Glanville kicked 2 with singles to Jason Giasoumi, Matthew Gray, Rilyn Mosbey, Josh Schmitz and Jeremy Yelland.