The Hampton Rovers suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of St Kevins away at TH King Oval on Saturday. The Rovers return home this week to take on Melbourne High before the break.
The Rovers were coming off a great win over Old Carey and were looking to make it three consecutive wins but were facing a quality St Kevins outfit that were further inspired by the milestone of Luke Mahoney playing his 200th club game. Overnight rain had given the ground a rating of dead and it was heavy underfoot for the players.
The home side were best out of the blocks and kicked six goals in the opening term to the Rovers three. Hampton were dealt a major blow losing full-forward Daniel Corp early in the quarter. A further three goals to the Rovers one gave the home side a healthy 35-point lead.
The Rovers had been lacklustre with multiple skill errors and needed to turn their game around to have a chance. The had most of the play in the third term but failed to convert up front missing a number of realistic opportunities, kicking three goals nine. Five St Kevins goals further increased their stranglehold on the game.
It was all St Kevins in the final term as they went on a rampage kicking nine goals to the Rovers five. It was getting dark at the King and the final term went longer than 34 minutes but the final siren finally sounded, putting the Rovers out of their misery, and giving the home side a 69-point victory.
Chris Gleeson was best on for the Rovers and also stepped up in the forward line in Corps absence, kicking four goals. Matt Terech and Guy Martyn kicked two each. Other players amongst the best were Gary Carr, Ryan Semmel and Mark Devereaux.
The Rovers will be looking to put Saturdays result in the past and turning attention to Round 9 when they return to Boss James Reserve following two weeks on the road, taking on bottom-placed Melbourne High School Old Boys.
In other VAFA Premier B results on Saturday, Old Ivanhoe defeated Old Essendon, Old Haileybury downed Oakleigh, Old Carey thrashed Melbourne High and University Blacks went down to St Bernards. Old Ivanhoe and St Kevins occupy the top two positions on the ladder (24pts) followed by Old Haileybury and St Bernards on 20pts, four teams then follow on 16pts. While Old Essendon and Melbourne High hold up the ladder on a single win each.
HAMPTON ROVERS 3.1 4.6 7.15 12.16 (88)
ST KEVINS 6.6 9.11 14.14 23.19 (157)
Goals: C. Gleeson 4, M. Terech 2, G. Martyn 2, M. Devereaux , N. Lyall , E. Turner , L. De Boer.
Best: C. Gleeson, G. Carr, R. Semmel, M. Devereaux, L. Fletcher, T. McNamara
It was an average day all-round for the Rovers. The Reserves also went down to St Kevins comprehensively. The only three goal kickers were Stuey Suleyman, Jesse Donald and Alex Ross while best players were Ben Theodore, Lachie Wheeler and Ash Fisher.
The Under 19s were defeated by arch rivals Ajax at Albert Park. Lachlan DeLisle, Jack Massie and Russ Howe were best for the Rovers. At Boss James Reserve, the Thirds went down to top-side Caulfield Grammarians.
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