Saturday’s round 15 clash against ladder-leaders Beaumaris was always going to be tough, and the game went according to the script with the Sharks recording a comfortable victory.
The Rovers were missing Danny Corp, Ned Fallon and Guy Martyn from the previous week’s victory over Old Haileybury, and a further late out with Roland De Biase unavailable made things difficult. It was a young Rovers side taking on an experienced Beaumaris line-up, and while Stephen Milne was missing due to suspension, another ex-Saint came into the side for his first game in blue and gold – Adam Schneider.
In wintery conditions at Banksia Reserve, the Rovers kicked with the advantage of the strong wind in the opening term, and while the boys controlled much of the play early on, struggled to convert that on the scoreboard. Ed Turner kicked the opening goal of the game after 20 minutes but that’s all the Rovers could manage, before the home side responded with two of their own to lead at the first break.
Beaumaris dominated the second quarter, kicking seven goals without response, to hold a commanding 52-point lead into the main break.
It was an improved start to the third term for Hampton, kicking the first goal then the next two in quick succession through Josh McPherson and Finn Garraway-McMaster. A quick response after a Sharks goal meant the Rovers had kicked four for the term and were on track to win the quarter, but Beauy booted five more majors to increase their lead.
In fact, the home side kicked nine without reply, only the last goal of the game to Hampton reduced the final margin, to 88 points. Nath Smith was the only multiple goal kicker with two, he was also named in the best, along with Josh McPherson, Christian Carnovale and Sam Bradford.
The Seniors and Reserves now have a week off, before facing Parkdale Vultures at Gerry Green Reserve. The U19s are in action, taking on Collegians at Boss James Reserve at 2pm, and will be looking for an improved performance after they went down to Marcellin on the weekend.
HAMPTON ROVERS 1.2 1.3 5.9 6.10 (46)
BEAUMARIS 2.3 9.7 15.10 20.14 (134)
Goal Kickers: N. Smith 2, J. McPherson, T. Jones, F. Garraway-McMaster, S. Bradford
Best Players: J. McPherson, N. Smith, C. Carnovale, S. Bradford, B. Kneebush, J. Prosser
