Ormond are the first team through to the C Section Grand Final after they defeated the Hampton Rovers by 19 points in the 2nd Semi Final at Junction Oval. The Rovers now face Oakleigh in the Preliminary Final this Saturday at Trevor Barker Oval to see who will join Ormond in the decider.
It was windy conditions at Junction Oval and a big crowd was on hand to see the first game of the finals series as the minor premiers Hampton Rovers hosted Ormond in a battle between two fierce rivals over so many years.
The Rovers kicked towards the St. Kilda end with the assistance of the wind in the opening term, however at this stage of the game it wasn?t as strong as what it developed into later on. It was a tight even contest early on with little open play and running. An injury forcing Matt Lawrence from the ground late in the quarter was a blow for the Rovers. They kicked the only major of the quarter and held a four point lead at the first break.
The game opened up somewhat in the second stanza with Ormond kicking five goals to four to give them a slight two point lead at the main break. There was nothing in it and there was all to play for in the second half.
With the wind picking up, the Rovers knew they had to take full advantage of it and give themselves a solid lead going into the last, however they could only manage four goals to two and questions were asked whether this lead was enough to hold on to.
In the end, it wasn?t, with Ormond having a four goals to zip final quarter and taking the game by 19 points. They are now the first team into the 2008 Grand Final and the first team to be promoted to B Section for 2009.
However the Hampton Rovers didn?t finish as minor premiers by way of luck. The obvious benefit of this is the second chance and they must now take full advantage when they take on Oakleigh, who defeated Ajax by 26 points in Sundays game, at Trevor Barker Oval next Saturday in the Preliminary Final.
Kyle Pinto and Nick Wynne were the only multiple goal kickers with two each. Gerrard Woods, Jason Zampagloine and Rob Alexander were best for the Rovers.
HAMPTON ROVERS 1.3 5.5 9.8 9.11 (65)
ORMOND 0.5 5.7 7.12 11.18 (84)
Goal Kickers: K. Pinto 2, N. Wynne 2, G. Carr, J. Zampaglione, R. Alexander, L. Dallas, J. Verlin.
Best Players: G. Woods, J. Zampaglione, R. Alexander, M. Devereaux, G. Carr, L. Dallas.
