Hampton Rovers made the short trip to Brindisi Street on Saturday to face St Bedes/Mentone Tigers in the first local derby of the season and while the boys dug deep, the home side ran over the Rovers in the last term to win by 40 points.
A big contingent of Rovers supporters were on hand to watch the first game between the two sides since 2006. It was always going to be a big test for the Rovers against a side that had come down from Premier section and at a small ground they obviously know how to play. The late withdrawals of Mark Devereaux and Nathan Smith didn’t help Hampton’s cause but Zebras Will McTaggart and Luke Verma did come in to the side.
The third quarter was the highlight for Hampton. Trailing by 24 points at the main break, the Rovers came out firing, dominating the play and putting the home side under all sorts of pressure, kicking six unanswered goals to surge into the lead. The Tigers responded before big Will McTaggart in his first senior game for the club, took a strong mark and kicked a huge goal from inside the centre square extending the lead to nine points before a goal on the siren brought it back to three.
Despite being in the lead, there were worrying signs for the Rovers, with injuries resulting in no one on the bench will the home side continued with their rotations. It would take a mighty effort and while the Rovers did kick the first goal of the term, from there it was all St Bedes/Mentone who kicked nine goals to three, powering to a big win. Plenty of stopages and scoring meant the game lasted all of 145 minutes.
Overall, a sloppy first quarter let the Rovers down on a ground that doesn’t suit our style, that along with injuries throughout the game and against quality opposition, handed the Rovers their first loss of 2015.
Matt Robbins kicked three goals with Guy Martyn kicking two, overall the Rovers had 11 goal kickers. Amongst the best were Jay Ting, Rich Atkins, Charlie Miles and Leigh Fletcher.
HAMPTON ROVERS 3.3 7.6 14.9 17.9 (111)
ST BEDES/MENTONE 4.5 11.6 13.12 22.19 (151)
Goal Kickers: M. Robbins 3, G. Martyn 2, E. Turner 2, D. Corp 2, J. McPherson 2, W. McTaggart, S. Bradford, N. Fallon, J. Donald, L. Verma, L. Fletcher
Best Players: J. Ting, R. Atkins, C. Miles, K. Docherty, L. Fletcher, A. McNeil
The Reserves were outplayed by the Tigers, going down by 63 points. However the Rovers did outscore the opposition in the final term, kicking five goals to four. David Morton was best for the Rovers and kicked two goals.
The Under 19s unfurled their premiership flag at Boss James Reserve and went on to record a great 15-point victory over the highly-fancied Old Geelong. They now take on the only other unbeaten side Old Carey on Saturday to kick-off a big triple header at Boss James Reserve. Read more >
The Thirds had much stronger numbers this week and led at quarter time against Marcellin but went down by 61 points in the end. Vince Camera was again best for the Rovers.
Next Saturday the Rovers host local rivals Old Brighton on ANZAC Day in what is set to be a massive day at Boss James Reserve. The triple header kicks-off with the Under 19s at 9:20am taking on Old Carey, followed by the Reserves and Seniors against Old Brighton who were also relegated from VAFA Premier section. 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli and a ceremony will be held prior to the start of the main game. The Hampton Rovers ANZAC Day Luncheon commences at midday – $30 per head, bookings are essential. View details >
Seniors scoreworm:
