The Hampton Rovers continued their build-up to the 2009 VAFA season with a strong 63-point victory over Old Mentonians at Keysborough on Saturday. The Reserves and Under 19s also recorded victories.
The two teams last met in 2007 when the Rovers defeated OMs in the Preliminary Final. While they remain in D1 section, they managed to make the finals in 2008 and have recruited well for the new season, providing the Rovers with a good hit-out in their second practice game of the year.
Still with as many as nine senior players missing from the line-up and playing a number of first-gamers, the Rovers took some time to gel and really didn?t get firing until the second half.
While the surface at Mentone Grammar Playing Fields was in pristine condition, the game wasn?t early on with both sides quite scrappy. At the main break the advantage was just 11 points to the Rovers.
The Rovers stepped up a gear in the second half though and played some very good quality footy to go on and defeat the home side by 63 points.
Earlier in the day the Reserves also had a slow start but went on to win by about six goals while out on Oval 3, the Under 19s got up by a few goals.
Again numbers were very strong on Saturday and things are looking good as we approach Round One on April 18. No practice game is scheduled for next Saturday however something will be organised – details to be announced early in the week.
