The Rovers travelled down the highway to take on Peninsula Old Boys and returned with the 4 points following a comfortable 32 point win. The Reserves and Under 19s also recorded strong wins making it a good day for the club.
In chilly conditions at Harry McDonald Oval, the Rovers knew they had to put in a much better performance than the last time the two teams met back in Round 5 at Boss James Reserve when the Pirates ran out 51-point winners.
Hampton saw the return of experienced premiership player Anthony Browne in for his first game of the year. The game got underway with the Rovers kicking the first major through first gamer Andy Castles. Kicking with the assistance of the wind, they managed a further 3 for the quarter to Peninsulas 2 making it a 12 point lead at the first break.
The home side got themselves right back into the game in the second term kicking 3 goals while the Rovers managed just the single. Hamptons accuracy at goal was nothing to savour spraying 6 behinds in the quarter. At the main break, there was nothing in it with the visitors holding a 4 point lead.
Backed by a strong contingent of travelling supporters, the third quarter got underway with the Rovers kicking the opening goal within seconds of play getting underway. It was a great confidence booster as they went on to kick another 4 while the home side managed just the 2. At the final break, the Rovers were up by 27 points but knew they had to stick to their game plan to maintain the lead.
Hampton increased the buffer by a goal kicking 3 to 2 in the final term holding on to record a strong 32 point victory away from home. Final scores 13.17.95 to 9.9.63.
On-baller Rob Alexander was again a top performer for the Rovers putting in a best on ground performance. Also performing well were Stuart Burggraaff, Daniel Andersen, Matt Terech, Leigh Cave, Ben Kezilas in his 100th senior game and Gary Carr.
Rovers full-forward Matt Lawrence kicked 4 increasing his season tally to 61 while Jason Zampaglione kicked 3 with singles to Daniel Andersen, Anton Duddy, Andy Castles, Anthony Browne, Stuart Burggraaff and Luke Dallas.
After 15 round with 3 remaining for the season, the top 4 is just about settled with Old Mentonians, Oakleigh, Hampton and Prahran the teams likely to participate in finals action. However only 6 points separate 1st and 4th. The Rovers currently have the highest percentage and face Oakleigh in the final game of the year which is shaping up as a battle for a top 2 spot.
Next week the Rovers face the only team they haven?t won again this year in Old Geelong at home at Boss James Reserve. Last time they met at Como Park, the Rovers led with just minutes remaining but went down by 10 points. This time they?ll be looking for revenge and a strong victory in the second last home game of the year.
The Reserves recorded a big 79-point victory over Peninsula booting 24 goals with David Anderson and Tony Pucella kicking 5 each. Other multiple goal kickers were Quon and Yelland with 3 each and Gray and Mason with 2 each. Fisher, Theodore, Anderson, Pucella, Verlin and Schafer were in the best. The win sneaks the Rovers into the top 4 on percentage.
At Boss James Reserve, the Under 19s thrashed a depleted Parkdale Vultures 15.10.100 to 4.4.28. The star of the day was Brad Trembath who kicked 9 goals and put in a best on ground performance playing on the wing. All the other goal kickers kicked just the one each with Ward, Sinclair, Stowe, Ross, Krull and Pinto getting on the scoresheet. Other better players were Ward, Innes, Steedman, Law and Z.Lewis.
HAMPTON ROVERS 4.3 5.9 10.15 13.17 (95)
PENINSULA OLD BOYS 2.3 5.5 7.6 9.9 (63)
Goals: Lawrence 4, Zampaglione 3, Andersen, Duddy, Castles, Browne, Burggraaff, Dallas.
Best: Alexander, Burggraaff, Andersen, Terech, Cave, Kezilas.
