An undermanned Rovers outfit was soundly defeated by third-placed Old Haileybury at McKinnon Oval on Saturday.
With the Rovers simply playing out the season knowing relegation is off the cards, as is a finals spot, the boys made the short trip to take on the Bloods who currently sit third and are pushing for a top two spot. The Rovers again had several players missing while Richard Atkins came up from the Under 19s to make his senior debut.
The game got off to a frenetic pace with the home side kicking with the breeze which was picking up. They kicked the first major of the game however the Rovers quickly responded with a goal from co-captain Ryan Semmel.
Haileybury pilled on a further five goals and held a 31-point advantage at the first break. The second term was an even one with both sides kicking four goals.
The home side took full control of the game in the third term but were remarkably inaccurate, adding 14 behinds to their tally plus a few on-the-fulls. They did manage to kick three majors to the Rovers one to lead by 52 points.
Coach Matty Robbins instructed his players to go all-out attack in the final term, to take risks and not to give up. They managed to kick three goals while the home side added two majors to their scoreline. The final siren sounded with Old Haileybury defeating Hampton Rovers by 56 points.
Adam Power who has returned to the line-up in the past few weeks kicked three goals, as did Ryan Semmel, while Carr, Gleeson and Duddy kicked one each. Best for the Rovers were Dave Robbins, Josh Schmitz, Stuey Burggraaff and Richard Atkins.
Next week the Rovers travel to South Yarra to take on bottom-placed Melbourne High School Old Boys in the penultimate round of the 2010 season. The Rovers then finish their season the following week against St Kevins at Boss James Reserve.
HAMPTON ROVERS 1.3 5.8 6.9 9.13 (67)
OLD HAILEYBURY 6.4 10.5 13.19 17.21 (123)
Goals: A. Power 3, R. Semmel 3, G. Carr , C. Gleeson , A. Duddy
Best: D. Robbins, J. Schmitz, S. Burggraaff, R. Atkins, J. Lovig, J. Ward
The Reserves had a good 24-point win over Old Haileybury in the early game. Jason Giasoumi dominated up front booting eight goals. Best for the Rovers were Alex Ross, Tom McNamara and Nathan Foster.
While at Boss James Reserve, the Under 19s went down to Collegians by eight goals. Andre Jowett and Jack Sperring kicked two each. Best were Rick Jones, Josh Pavlou and Andre Jowett.
