The Rovers suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of a white-hot Caulfield Grammarians side who lead the B section ladder early on.
The Rovers went into the game minus Duddy, Henry, McCarthy from last weeks drawn game and Devereaux was a late omission from Saturdays clash against the 2010 C section runners-up.
Caulfield Grammarians kicked with the wind in the opening term towards the racecourse end and kicked the first major. The Rovers responded quickly with a goal of their own but it was all the home side from then-on as they kicked a further six unanswered majors. Another two to the Rovers one had them leading by 47 points at the first break.
Rovers kicked the first two goals of the second however they couldnt sustain their attack as Caulfield displayed great skill and ball movement to control the game. Gary Carr came from the field early in the term with an injury and the Rovers were down to three on the bench as they could only manage one more goal for the quarter.
A goalless third term had the game well and truly over by the final break however Rovers coach Russell Barnes urged his players to not give up in the last and finish strong. But with their confident sky-rocketing, the home side banged on a further eight goals to the Rovers three. The final siren blew putting the Rovers faithful out of their misery, going down by 137 points one of their heaviest defeats in recent times.
For the Rovers, Leigh Fletcher, Adam McNeil, Tom Youl, and Sandy Dragons player Jack Wilson making his senior debut were best, while Eddie Turner (3) and Alex Whalebone (2) were the only multiple goal kickers.
All VAFA teams have a weekend off this week due to the Easter Break and then the Rovers return to Boss James Reserve to take on University Blues and will be looking to regain their form from Round 1.
HAMPTON ROVERS 2.0 5.4 5.6 8.8 (56)
CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS 9.5 13.9 21.17 29.19 (193)
Goals: E. Turner 3, A. Whalebone 2, J. Verlin , A. McNeil , D. Corp
Best: L. Fletcher, A. McNeil, T. Youl, J. Wilson, E. Turner, J. Verlin
The news wasnt any prettier for the Reserves who were also heavily defeated by a strong Caulfield outfit. Tom Mitchell, Lee Smith and Carl Emmins were best for the Rovers.
The Under 19s went down to Ajax while the Thirds also went down to Ajax in their first game of 2011 where the highlight of the game was Andrew McLorinan by all reports taking one of the best hangers seen at Boss James Reserve. Full results are available here.
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