The Hampton Rovers went down by 15 points at Old Mentonians on Saturday in a great game of football. After two rounds, all three Rovers teams sit in 4th position on their respective ladders.
The rain which had persistently fallen through the Reserves game stopped for the main game however tricky conditions still presented for both sides at the Mentone Grammar Playing Fields in Keysborough.
It was a tight and fierce start to the game but the Rovers managed the opening two majors through full forward Matthew Lawrence. The home side bounced back with two of their own and at the first break just three points was the margin.
Old Mentonians came out firing in the second term booting seven goals while the Rovers managed just the three and at half time the margin was 23 points.
The third quarter was much improved by the Rovers kicking 5 goals to 3 and reducing the margin to just 7 points setting up a gripping final quarter.
The 4th quarter began a tight one with no team taking control of the game and it looked as if the home team wouldn?t surrender their lead. All of a sudden though, the Rovers fired up and booted three goals in quick succession to take a 14 point lead and it almost looked as if the game was in the bag.
Old Mentonians weren?t going to give up though in front of their home supporters and they fired right back at the Rovers kicking 4 late goals and taking the game by 15 points.
Rovers captain Matthew Lawrence was best on ground for the green ?n golds booting 7 goals bringing is season total to 15. Other better players for the Rovers were Gerrard Woods, Leigh Fletcher, Stuart Burggraaff, Jason Zampaglione and Mark Ferrari.
After three big wins last week, it was back down to earth for the Rovers in Round 2 with the Reserves and Under 19s also going down. The Ressies were defeated by 17 points in tough conditions while the Under 19s went down by 18 points to St Bedes Mentone.
Next Saturday, the Rovers return to Boss James Reserve when they take on Yarra Valley. Make sure you get down and show your support. There will also be a special Mothers Luncheon commencing at 12 noon, for full details – click here.
HAMPTON ROVERS 2.2 5.6 10.10 14.14 (98)
OLD MENTONIANS 2.5 9.5 12.5 17.11 (113)
Best: Lawrence, Woods, L.Fletcher, Burggraaff, Zampaglione, Ferrari.
Goals: Lawrence 7, Zampaglione 2, Ferrari, Duddy, Alexander, Holt, Dallas.
