Hampton Rovers weren’t able to get a win in their final home game of the season, going down to rampant Ajax by 69 points, while the U19s had a heartbreaking loss.
Earlier in the season the Rovers defeated Ajax on their home turf and on this occasion it was the visitors who took the points again, controlling the majority of the game to run out comfortable winners.
Ajax were too fast and skilful for the Rovers. They opened up a 4 goal break at quarter time, extended it to 7 at half time, 10 at three quarter time and 11 by the end. To make it worse in the last, their full forward put on a clinic and kicked 5 off his own boot to notch 10 for the day.
While Hampton’s inside 50s at quarter time were equal to that of the opposition, the visitors hit the scoreboard 12 times while the Rovers only managed 2.3. This continued all day in that when they went inside 50, they scored. In the second quarter they kicked 7, and of these 4 came from stuff ups on the kick in and the crowd were getting restless. So were the players and little spot pushes and shoves continued to break out around the ground.
After half time it was just a procession and really in the last quarter the game couldn’t end soon enough. Danny Corp was clearly the Rovers’ best and while not playing the customary role of loose man in defence, he was effective up forward but just didn’t have much support. Will McTaggart played his best game for the club and his booming boot threatened at times to break open the Ajax defence. He kicked 3 which could easily have been 6. Sammy Bradford played another good game and his run and carry threatened to open up scoring opportunities. Rich Atkins, with a big job on a key Ajax forward, had the best of him throughout and was clearly our best defender for the day. Lachy Hayres played his first game for the club and the Sandringham Dragons player who has also featured in two Zebras games this year, played well, also named in the best.
Next week the Rovers face Parkdale Vultures at Gerry Green Reserve in a replay of last year’s Grand Final. While the Rovers are assured of remaining in Premier B section for 2016, Parkdale must win to have any chance of avoiding relegation. As coach Marto mentioned after the game, this is Hampton’s Grand Final and there will be plenty on the line.
HAMPTON ROVERS 2.3 6.5 7.10 11.12 (78)
AJAX 6.6 13.10 17.12 22.15 (147)
Goal Kickers: W. McTaggart 3, C. Malthouse 2, D. Corp 2, L. Hayres, A. McNeil, M. Devereaux, C. Miles
Best Players: D. Corp, L. Hayres, S. Bradford, R. Atkins, W. McTaggart, A. McNeil
The Reserves went into their game against Ajax hopeful of a good performance but it was Ajax who controlled the play in the first half, leading the game by six goals. In the second half, Sam Care and Jess Donald were moved into the middle and it made a difference. Clearances and run was created and this led to scoring opportunities. Hampton outscored Ajax 3 to 1 in the third and at the final break we were 24 points down and on a bit of a roll.
In the final term, the Rovers worked as a team, moved the ball well, looked for each other and at one point came to within a kick of the lead. Then some skill errors let us down which we managed to concert into poor discipline by a number of players which cost us a couple of goals and ultimately the game.
In the end it was a 29 point win to Ajax. Jesse Donald finish the game with five goals in his game of the year. He along with Sam Care and Jess Parsons were amongst the best.
The Under 19s had a devastating loss to Old Carey away at Bulleen in the final game of the regular season. After leading all day, inaccuracy cost them in the final term and they went down by one point. With Ormond winning their game by 10 goals, the Rovers miss the finals by just 0.22%, and despite defeating Ormond by almost 100 points last week, they sneak into the top four to claim that fourth spot.
With young Daniel Tocher knocked out in the first 15 minutes and taken to hospital, it was not a good start for the Rovers. Matty Oswald continued his good form in the last line of defence ably backed up by skipper Ryan Fogarty and Jack Massey on the back flank. Harry Hill continued his good form in the middle and was named as our best. Darcy Merlo continued his good form in what has been a great season for him. Christian Carnovale was again effective whether from the back flank or on the ball. Overall, both coach and players were shattered to have come so far and miss out by so little. After 18 rounds of footy, the Rovers Premiership defence comes to an end up in a higher division. The boys are sure to bounce back bigger and better in 2016.
Seniors scoreworm:
