The Hampton Rovers Under 19s continued their red-hot form in the first semi final, defeating De La Salle on their home turf by 24 points to advance to the Preliminary Final.
It was great to see a huge roll up of U19 parents and supporters at Waverley Oval in East Malvern as the youngsters made it 10 wins in a row in what was a solid team hit out.
The first half was really a bit of a slog. Neither side could really break free and the scoring was low. DLS, at every opportunity went to the central corridor and used the fall of the ground (a huge drop from one end to the other) to attack goal. The backline led by Jack Campion and Luke Morcom were holding firm and great support was given by Tom Fisher, Toby Sullivan and Cam Cullis. Harry Hodges was in everything and his run and carry through the midfield was a feature of an otherwise flat half.
At half time the Rovers were 17 points up and while coach John Cesario was not displaying outward signs of confidence you could feel the game was ours for the taking. The third quarter started with a sensational goal to Mackie Robertson, a 50m run down the wing trying to gather the ball under extreme pressure from his opponent, finally picked it up at 25m and banged it through.
It then became the “Jones Show” with Mackie passing to Cory for a goal to be followed by Cam getting a free for goal and then benefitting from a Cory pass to him at 30m who kicked accurately. Some great play down back with Jack Campion pulling down some big grabs and Matt Oswald at full back being miserly on his opponent. Hampton were 36 points up at the final break and things were looking good.
While we were outscored in the last quarter those goals came to DLS when the game was well and truly over and our boys were clearly thinking about next week. The highlight of the quarter was a coast to coast goal finished off by Jack Zaina who kicked accurately from 45m to seal the game. Many contributed to the fine win. Both ruckmen Jandre Olivier and Dave Broadstock were dominant and gave the mids in Hodgy, Mackie and Zac Donald opportunities all day.
Great to see Cam Jones kick 6 in his first game back from injury. He looks like someone certain break goal kicking records at the Rovers in years to come.
Next Saturday, the Rovers are up against Oakleigh, who went down to Ormond, in the Preliminary Final 9:15am Saturday at Meade Reserve, Clayton.
HAMPTON ROVERS 4.2 7.6 12.7 14.8 (92)
DE LA SALLE 2.3 4.7 6.7 9.14 (68)
Goal Kickers: C. Jones 6, M. Robertson 3, C. Jones 2, C. Clarke, J. Zaina, T. Sullivan
Best Players: M. Robertson, C. Cullis, D. Broadstock, H. Hodges, C. Jones, J. Campion
10-straight wins for the U19s and trough to the Preliminary Final! #gorovers pic.twitter.com/al3BUmQwO3
— Hampton Rovers FC (@HRAFC) August 30, 2014
