A match up against traditional rivals Old Brighton in a contest for ladder honours – the winner would end the season on top of the loser. OB clearly took the game seriously, to the extent they decided to play an ex-Rover who hadn’t been registered … the problem was that he started the preseason with us! He sat out the second half.
In any event, after a relatively even first half, Old Brighton just couldn’t keep the Rovers in hand and we romped away after half time to record a 36 point victory. The last month has been good for the under 19s, finishing the season with three big wins, and this victory was all the more impressive when you consider that there were 9 other U19s who pulled on the green and gold in the seniors later in the afternoon.
Sam Gall, playing at CHB was a rock in defence and picked up the BOG award. Skipper Scotty Ebbott continued his good form and Corey Jones bagged another 4 goals in a good display of forward work.
Both Tom Sherry on the wing and Harry Robertson playing on the wing and the ball clearly had the better of their opponents and improved the further the game progressed. Benji Audige dropped back to the U19s owing to a commitment in the afternoon, and took the ruck duties. He was delighted in playing back in his age group without the bigger bodies of the seniors. Teamed with Sean Bourke they dominated in the ruck all day.
Coach John Cesario saved his praise for the back six who he said played their best game of the year. With only a few players set to be ineligible for U19s next year, it should be a promising 2017 for the young Rovers.
HAMPTON ROVERS 2.4 5.5 11.7 12.10 (82)
OLD BRIGHTON 3.1 5.1 6.2 7.4 (46)
Goal Kickers: C. Jones 4, A. Woolston 3, S. Ebbott 2, L. Cosgrif, S. Bourke, T. Sharry
Best Players: S. Gall, S. Ebbott, C. Jones, H. Robertson, T. Sharry, A. Woolston
