A somewhat depleted Rovers side travelled to face Bulleen Templestowe on Saturday and suffered a disappointing 31-point defeat at the hands of the Bullants. The Rovers sit in 5th position and are a bit up and down after two huge wins at home while remaining winless away from the Boss.
The abysmal condition of the ground made it tough to play good football and it certainly showed, however the home team knew how to play their home patch.
Hampton started slowly and the home side kicked the only three goals of the opening term. The second quarter was an improvement; both sides managed three goals and at the main break, Bulleen Templestowe held a 15-point lead.
The Rovers stepped up in the third quarter however several missed opportunities cost them on the scoreboard. Both sides managed four goals each and at the final break, the margin was just 12 points.
Hampton had struggled all day and the final term was no different with the home side successfully shutting down the Rovers forward line and kicking three goals to nil to win the game by 31 points.
Best players for the Rovers were Gary Carr, Gerrard Woods, Brenton Holt, Luke Dallas, James McCarthy and Leigh Cave. Luke Dallas kicked 3 goals, Brenton Holt 2, and singles to Gary Carr and Jay Ting.
It was a better result for the Reserves who after a slow start, played a much improved second half to defeat the Bullants by 24 points. Cain Malthouse, Justin Ng and Brenton Henry were best for the Rovers while Tom Rootsey led the goalkicking with 4. The Under 19s had a bye.
Next week sees the Rovers return home to Boss James Reserve to take on Peninsula Old Boys and the boys will be keen to return to the form which the home supporters have been treated to so far this year.
HAMPTON ROVERS 0.2 3.5 7.9 7.11 (53)
BULLEEN TEMPLESTOWE 3.1 6.2 10.3 13.6 (84)
Best: Carr, Woods, Holt, Dallas, McCarthy, Cave.
Goals: Dallas 3, Holt 2, Carr, Ting.
