An undermanned Hampton Rovers side suffered a disappointing 89-point loss at the hands of Old Melburnians at Junction Oval on Saturday.
A win would have seen the Rovers in the top 4 of Premier B however with five forced changes going into the game it was always going to be a challenge.
It was fine and sunny conditions at the former VFL ground, in what is its last season before being converted to a cricket-only venue, and the playing surface as always was immaculate.
Hampton kicked the opening goal of the game through Ed Turner. It didn’t take long for the home side to respond before Daniel Corp kicked the Rovers second. However from mid-way point of the first quarter, Old Melburnians took control of the game.
A 24 point quarter time margin became 29 points at the main break, and while it certainly was within reach, the Rovers were up against it with only one fit player on the bench. Things went from bad to worse on the injury front with the Rovers soon down to no one on the bench for the majority of the second half.
The home side booted seven goals in the third and five in the last to the Rovers three second half goals, to blow the final margin out to 89 points.
Adam McNeil, Daniel Corp and Jay Ting tried hard all day and were the Rovers best while Matt Robbins was the only multiple goal kicker with two.
The Rovers remain in fifth position on the ladder while Old Melburnians jump up to second following some shock results on the weekend including losses by St Bedes/Mentone and Old Brighton.
Next week, Hampton travels to Albert Park again, this time to face Ajax at Gary Smorgon Oval.
HAMPTON ROVERS 2.0 3.4 4.5 6.5 (41)
OLD MELBURNIANS 5.6 7.9 14.13 19.16 (130)
Goal Kickers: M. Robbins 2, D. Corp, S. Clements, E. Turner, J. Donald
Best Players: A. McNeil, D. Corp, J. Ting, R. Atkins, S. Clements, J. Donald
VIEW: Match highlights | Ladder
The unavailability’s flowed down to the Reserves and they were no match for OMs. Ben Kezilas, George Hillary and Matt Broadley were best for the Rovers with Zeke Lewis, Jake Connell and Oli Jewell kicking goals.
The Thirds travelled to Therry Penola and had a tight loss, going down by 13 points. Jason Laver kicked five goals and Michael Flahive two. Best were Jack Massie, Vincent Camera and Wes Kingsford.
At Boss James Reserve, the Under 19s got back on the winners list, defeating St Bernards by a point. Toby Sullivan, Jack Zaina and Sam Weatherby were amongst the better players and Cam Jones, Nick Jackson and first-gamer Will Jackson each kicked two goals.
Seniors scoreworm:
