Rovers snatch High School win

A Hampton Rovers goal in the dying seconds stole a five-point victory over MHSOB in a dramatic game at Melbourne High School Saturday. The win along with other results puts the Rovers three games clear on top of the ladder after seven rounds.

The Rovers took control of the game early on, kicking seven goals to four in the opening term. However the home side responded in the second kicking five of their own to the Rovers two. Inaccurate kicking by the Rovers meant they had just a seven point lead at the main break.

Melbourne High dominated the third quarter kicking seven goals to four and the intensity rose as the game stepped up a gear and became more physical. At the final break it was the home side up by eight points.

They continued their form early in the final term and with about ten minutes remaining it was Melbourne High up by 26 points and an upset looked on the cards. However the Rovers never gave up as they clawed their way back into the game.

With not long remaining, the scores were all square and shortly after the Rovers found themselves down by a point. However with under a minute remaining, Hampton got the ball up to their forward line where Josh Verlin took a strong mark inside the 45-metre arc straight in front. He went back and kicked it straight through the middle to put the Rovers up by 5 points.

Melbourne High got a free kick from the subsequent centre bounce but a mark at Rovers half back line forced a turnover and seconds later the final siren blew ensuring another win.

Captain Matt Lawrence finished the game with 6 goals with Leigh Fletcher, Ryan Semmel and Josh Verlin kicking 2 each, and singles to Devereaux, Greenwood, Pinto, Curry & Dallas. Best players for the Rovers were Gary Carr, Luke Dallas, Nick Greenwood and Ryan Semmel.

Congratulations to Jeremy Yelland who played his 150th club game for the Rovers. Jeremy first played in 1993 and has played 31 senior games.

Next week promises to be a huge day at Boss James Reserve with the first of two triple-headers for the year. The Rovers take on Ajax in the top-of-the-table clash at 2pm, the day will kick-off with the Under 19’s at 9:20am against Bentleigh.

HAMPTON ROVERS  7.6  9.11  13.15  17.18 (120)
MELBOURNE HIGH  4.4  9.11  16.5  18.7 (115)
Goal Kickers: M. Lawrence 6, L. Fletcher 2, R. Semmel 2, J. Verlin 2, M. Devereaux, N. Greenwood, K. Pinto, T. Curry, L. Dallas.
Best Players: G. Carr, L. Dallas, N. Greenwood, R. Semmel, L. Fletcher, M. Lawrence.

The Reserves lost their first game away from home this season, going down by 9 points. After leading in the first half, Melbourne High finished the game stronger. Matthew Gray and Tony Pucella kicked 3 each while best players included Lachlan Wheeler, Ben Theodore and Justin Ng.

And at Boss James Reserves, the Under 19’s defeated St Bedes Mentone by 45 points, although the margin could have been much greater if not for the inaccurate kicking – 12 goals 25 was the Rovers final score. Joel Steendam kicked 4 with 2 each to Greenway, Trembath and Zeke Lewis. Jesse  Lovig, Stephen Howe and Matt Law were among the best players for the Rovers.