Four wins on the trot and the young Rovers now sit equal 4th or one game out of the four with five games remaining. A great time to hit form and Saturday’s win against third-placed De La Salle was without doubt our best win of the season.
The Rovers were on top from the start but it was in the second quarter when we kicked seven goals to De La Salle’s two goals that the game was blown apart and a 37 point advantage at the main break was a gap too wide.
Cam Jones has kept up his goal kicking prowess with another four goal haul to take him to 41 for the season a gap of 5 on the second placed goal kicker in the competition. A great effort by Cam.
What a turnaround it was against De La Salle who beat Hampton by eight goals earlier in the year. This time it was the vastly improved Rovers side that out-tackled and outran the opposition to beat them by eight goals. This side has come a long way in the last month, not only with the inclusion of private school kids, but even without as was proved on Saturday.
Hampton’s quick hands and run out of the midfield and back line was sensational to watch. Sullivan, Cullis and Wilson provided run out of the back line all day. The guys in the middle were also fantastic, not only winning the hardball, but also providing consistent run and carry. De La could not stop Elston who was tagged but was ably supported by his co-mids in Short, Stewart, Cairns, Daley and Zaina.
Campion was solid in defence all day and Massey worked his way back into the game to eventually become a winner over his opponent. Sam Care again worked tirelessly all day as did Campbell Jones. Corey jones put on his own show in the second quarter kicking two goals, one on the run from the boundary, he was also marking everything in sight.
Coach John Cesario commented that it was one of the best team performance he had been involved with, as all 24 players contributed when it was their turn to ramp up the pressure. The guys just need to keep working hard and improving and the results will continue to come the Rovers way.
HAMPTON ROVERS 4.1 11.4 14.6 16.11 (107)
DE LA SALLE 3.2 5.3 7.4 9.5 (59)
Goal Kickers: C. Jones 4, S. Care 2, L. Cairns 2, J. Short 2, C. Jones 2, J. Bryant, Z. Donald, R. Fogarty, D. Broadstock
Best Players: J. Stewart, C. Jones, C. Jones, J. Short, S. Care, L. Cairns
