Hampton Rovers recorded a comfortable victory over arch-rivals Ormond at EE Gunn Reserve on Saturday to take their season record to 7-3.
The margin could have been more, if not for a lacklustre final term in which the home side halved the 40-point three-quarter time margin. Still, the Rovers were never really troubled after quarter time as they went on to win their fourth straight game and maintain equal-second position on the Premier C ladder.
The Rovers had a wealth of youth on display with the available of APS players Nick Pavlou, Harry Hill and Christian Carnovale meaning those three came in for their first game of the season and they all performed well, highlighted by Pavlou’s three goals while both Hill and Carnovale were named in the best.
It was also good to see three sets of brothers in the green & gold which must be the first in a while. They were Adam & Kyal McNeil, Nick & Kyle Pinto and Josh & Nick Pavlou.
While the ladder positions (3 v 9) implied there was some gap between both clubs, the Hampton-Ormond rivalry is one of the oldest and strongest in the VAFA and always brings the best out of both sides. The home side came out strong and kicked the opening two goals before the Rovers responded with three through Hill, Turner and Devereaux. Ormond put on another three to lead by 13 points at the first break.
The Rovers took control of the game in the second term, kicking six goals unanswered with Ormond only kicking two majors late in the term. At half time it was Hampton leading by 24 points and looking in control.
The Rovers back six were on their game, halting Ormond’s forward thrusts time after time while Mark Devereaux was putting in yet another strong performance all over the ground – further showing how stiff he was not to be named in the VAFA B-D4 representative squad with Leigh Fletcher and the injured Jay Ting.
Hampton improved their advantage in the third term, getting out to a 40-point lead late on while the final term dragged on as the Rovers took their foot of the pedal allowing the home side to reduce the margin and look more respectable to them. The two goals were impressive ones though as Josh Pavlou booted one from the boundary and brother Nick kicked his third.
Ed Turner was closely marked by Ormond’s tagger and despite not getting much love from the officials, still managed four goals to take his season tally to 33 – leading the competition. Mark Devereaux was awarded the Russell Barnes medal for best on ground.
The win is Hampton’s sixth straight against Ormond, dating back to 2009. The Rovers remain third on the ladder, equal with second-placed Monash Blues while Marcellin are top with one more win. Next week the Rovers face Parkdale Vultures away before returning to Boss James Reserve to take on Marcellin.
HAMPTON ROVERS 3.3 10.11 13.17 15.18 (108)
ORMOND 5.4 7.5 8.7 13.10 (88)
Goal Kickers: E. Turner 4, N. Pavlou 3, M. Devereaux 3, H. Hill, N. Pinto, K. Pinto, J. Pavlou, M. Care
Best Players: M. Devereaux, J. Lovig, R. Atkins, N. Pavlou, C. Carnovale, H. Hill
View the full match replay on VAFATV >
View Photos on Rovers Facebook >
The Reserves had a draw with Ormond, finishing 91 apiece. After being down by a few goals at quarter time, a five goal to one second term with the wind gave Hampton a five-point lead at the main break.
Ormond responded with a big third term and at the final break were up by 21 points. The Rovers had all the play in the final term and after kicking two goals relatively early on, kicked three in quick succession to trail by a point. Frustratingly, all they could manage was a further point and the game ended all-square.
At Boss James Reserve, the Under 19s recorded a big 91-point victory over Old Haileybury. Campbell Jones kicked another bag of six goals while Mackie Robertson kicked five in a best on ground performance. Also amongst the best were Josh Elston, Ryan Fogarty, Corey Jones and first-gamer Petrus Olivier.
Seniors scoreworm:
