The Hampton Rovers made the long trek to take on Yarra Valley and while they did it the hard way, they came home with the four points to make it seven straight wins and lift to third on the ladder. It was a good day all round with all three Rovers teams getting up.
Its hard to believe the start of the season was delayed due to the drought as the Rovers took to another wet & muddy ground. The quality of the Yarra Valley ground detracted from the game with a low scoring affair and the Rovers not kicking away until the final stages.
The Rovers knew the Yarra Valley outfit would be a much improved one than the side who went down by 163 points back in Round 3 at Boss James Reserve. With relegation looming for the hosts, it was one Hampton couldn?t take lightly.
The game got underway in pleasant conditions however it was a scrappy one with both sides managing just the one goal each in the opening term.
The second quarter was slightly improved and at the main break, the Rovers led the home side by 9 points.
Coach Gary Sheldon was unhappy with his chargers at the break and he urged them to come out firing in the second half. However it was the home side that had the advantage as they crept within 3 points of the Rovers at three quarter time.
It was a close final term for a while however the Rovers kicked away with a 5 goal quarter to win the game by 30 points. Final score 12.13.85 to 8.7.55.
The latest result sees the winning streak continue which now sits at seven and lifts the Rovers up one spot to third on the ladder, two games and percentage clear of fifth spot.
Gary Carr played a superb game for the Rovers with Anton Duddy, James McCarthy, De Boer and Leigh Fletcher also playing well.
Matthew Lawrence kicked 4 goals despite being will held by the Yarra Valley full back to take his season tally to 57.
Next week the Rovers return to Boss James Reserve to take on Bulleen Templestowe.
In the Reserves, the Rovers got up by 18 points in a scrappy game to put them back in the mix for finals action. Best players were Oriti, Fisher, Foster, James, Theodore and Anderson. Schafer and Yelland kicked 2 goals each with Quon kicking one.
The Under 19s had a good win over St.Bedes Mentone getting up by 10 points. Best for the Rovers were Stowe, Ward, Krull, Pinto, Law and Cain. Morecroft kicked 2 goals with singles to Giasoumi, Lewis, Sinclair, Stowe, Cain and Pinto.
HAMPTON ROVERS 1.7 4.7 7.9 12.13 (85)
YARRA VALLEY OB 1.2 3.4 7.6 8.7 (55)
Goals: Lawrence 4, Zampaglione 2, Andersen, Ferrari, Flahive, L.Fletcher, Holt, Verlin.
Best: Carr, Duddy, McCarthy, De Boer, L.Fletcher, Verlin.
