The Hampton Rovers put on a disappointing display to go down to Peninsula Old Boys by 51 points in windy conditions at Boss James Reserve on Saturday.
The visitors won the all-important toss and kicked with the aid of a five-goal wind in the opening term. They managed 7 goals while a goal to Matthew Lawrence on the siren reduced the margin to 24 points at quarter time.
The Rovers were expected to come out firing in the second term but this didn?t eventuate and they could only manage 2 goals with the wind while Peninsula kicked 5 to hold a 39-point lead at the main break.
It was more of the same in the third with Peninsula kicking another 5 goals with the Rovers failing to kick a major. At three quarter time, it was the visitors by 68 points.
The Rovers were told to go back to basics in the final term and add some respectability to the scoreboard. To their credit, they outscored Peninsula however could still only manage 4 goals with the wind, this could have been more if not for inaccurate kicking. Peninsula managed 2 of their own and as the final siren blew at Boss James, it was the visitors winning 19.7.121 to 9.16.70.
After two huge wins at David Street, this was the first loss at home for the 2007 season. Hampton will now look to re-group as they take on Old Geelong next Saturday away at Como Park, South Yarra.
Better players for the Rovers were Gary Carr, Luke Dallas, Gerrard Woods, Anton Duddy, Daniel Andersen and Michael Fletcher. Rob Alexander, Anton Duddy and Matthew Lawrence kicked 2 goals each, with singles to Mark Ferrari, Michael Flahive and Lee Smith.
In the earlier game, the Reserves defeated Peninsula Old Boys 20.23.143 to 8.3.51. In his first game for the season, Chris Milne kicked 7 goals, Josh Verlin played a great game kicking 6 goals and best on ground, 2 goals each to Evans and Malthouse and singles to Fisher, Gray and Henry. Best players were Verlin, Henry, Kezilas, Malthouse, Delosa and Milne.
The Under 19s took on Parkdale Vultures and came away with the four points after winning 24.17.161 to 8.12.60. Best for the Rovers were McCarthy, Morecroft, Pinto, Ross, White and Ward. White led the goal kicking with 6, Giasoumi, McCarthy and Pinto kicked 4 each, 3 to Morecroft, and singles to Davis, Krull and Ward.
Hampton Rovers 3.1 5.5 5.9 9.16 (70)
Peninsula Old Boys 7.1 12.2 17.5 19.7 (121)
Best: Carr, Dallas, Woods, Duddy, Andersen, Fletcher.
Goals: Alexander 2, Duddy 2, Lawrence 2, Ferrari, Flahive, Smith.
