Hampton Rovers defeated local rivals Parkdale Vultures by 60 points on Saturday at Boss James Reserve in a replay of last year’s Grand Final.
While the Rovers went into the game following three straight defeats, the fact these losses were against sides very likely to finish the regular season in the top three meant the confidence and atmosphere in the rooms pre-game remained high.
The first half was a complete arm-wrestle with the visitors getting numbers around the ball. They kicked with the wind towards the David Street end in the first quarter and kicked two goals to one. Neither side could score freely and in the second term, despite having the majority of the play, Hampton failed to post anything significant on the scoreboard. Goals to Adam McNeil, Matt Robbins and Mark Devereaux gave the home side a 10 point lead at the main break.
The third term would be the real test with the Vultures kicking with the wind that had increased. It was Hampton who won the battle however, holding Parkdale to a solitary goal while Richard Atkins, Ed Turner and Mark Devereaux kicked truly with Cracker’s set-shot from a fair distance out against the win the stand-out. The Rovers were well on top and the backs were dominant with Sam Clements enjoying his second outing as full-back, Jesse Lovig confining their skipper and laying one of his best tackles ever, and with runners in Rich Atkins, Jay Dillon and Adam McNeil proving plenty of drive.
Captain Leigh Fletcher was in great form, Jay Ting was in and under everything, Ben Traeger-Haig in his return game was playing well and Josh McPherson regaining the crown.
At the final change, coach Guy Martyn stressed how desperate the tackling had been by the Rovers with 85 at 3qtr time and he challenged the players to break the ton in the last.
In the final quarter, it was all the Rovers – kicking eight goals to two. After a scrappy first half, it was great to see the game open up and goals from Ned Fallon, Adam Spencer, Matt Robbins and Lachlan Cairns sealed the deal.
The win gives the Rovers a 2-3 record, and fifth on the ladder with a healthy percentage, going into the round six match against sixth-placed Caulfield Grammarians, also at Boss James Reserve.
Congratulations to Leigh Fletcher and Mark Devereaux who played their 200th club games and also to Richard Atkins who played his 100th VAFA game for the club.
HAMPTON ROVERS 1.2 4.4 7.10 15.15 (105)
PARKDALE VULTURES 2.3 3.4 4.7 6.9 (45)
Goal Kickers: M. Robbins 3, E. Turner 3, M. Devereaux 2, A. Spencer, J. McPherson, A. McNeil, L. Cairns, R. Atkins, D. Corp, N. Fallon
Best Players: L. Fletcher, R. Atkins, N. Fallon, J. Ting, B. Traeger-Haig, J. McPherson
VIEW: HIGHLIGHS | FULL MATCH REPLAY | OTHER RESULTS | LADDER
Prior to the main game, the annual Hampton Rovers Women’s Lunch was held in the Wright-Scarlett Pavilion with another sell-out crowd of over 120 in attendance. This year the lunch supported Disability Sport & Recreation and we were thrilled to have Australian wheelchair-basketballer Mel Adams and guest speaker. Thanks to those who supported the auction and raffle with items including a stay at the Manse Boutique Guesthouse in Daylesford, sunglasses from Bolle, a tattoo voucher from Atomic gift vouchers from Moorabbin Foot Centre and Eveready Gift packs. All women in attendance also received gift packs courtesy of Heritage Brands.
The Thirds got the day off to a great start with a big 10 goal win over Parkdale Vultures on the pristine playing surface at Castlefield Reserve. Against an undermanned opposition, the Rovers pilled on 23 goals with Zeke Lewis leading the way with five and four each to Steve Anderson and Matt Innes. Jesse Parsons, Steve Anderson and James Massey were best for the Rovers.
The Reserves got the action underway at the Boss and struggled early on against last year’s premiers, not kicking their first goal until the second term. The second half was an improvement, kicking eight goals to six, but it was all too late, going down to the Vultures by 19 points. Ash Fisher kicked four and Tim Jones was best on for the Rovers.
The Under 19s travelled to Williamstown to face the CY’s with John Cesario forced to make six changes from last week’s side. The Williamstown venue hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Rovers – thinking back to the shocking conditions a couple of years back the Seniors had to play in/on, and it continued on Saturday. Despite dominating early and leading by four goals at quarter time, the home side equalled things up by half time. It was a even third term but all Williamstown in the final term with the home side getting up by 34 points. A great effort by Tom Nicholls to be BOG and leading the Divisions goal kicking, booting seven on Saturday.
