The Hampton Rovers Senior Women’s team took on Ajax on Saturday morning and all players wore purple ribbons in support of Jane Barnes who sadly passed away last week.
The last time the Rovers played Ajax, it was the last game the women played in the finals last year. In that game, the Rovers were smashed by a very competent Ajax outfit that outplayed us from the first bounce. On Saturday, we again faced up to them with a team that was certainly lacking some of the experience of last year but made up for it with raw enthusiasm.
Great to see some of the new players on the park. Carla Hewitt had her first game for 2018, sorry, ever and what a day she picked to debut. Rain, hail and a gale. Similarly, Jamie Roberts played her first game, no doubt in the ruck as Jason Holmes, ex Saints player and about 200cm, is her partner! Good to see a Hurst hitting the track with the Rovers. While Brianna and Tarryn aren’t playing, their sister Kelsey was on the ground on Saturday. Of course, the connections with the men’s team continues to grow with the Atta sisters, Lucy and Grace both debuting this year – Lucy’s boyfriend Corey has also pulled on the boots with the Rovers.
In a very hard-fought game, the women fought it out to the final siren. With less than a goal the difference all day, there was an element of injustice when Ajax managed to snag that last quarter goal (kicking with the gale) to secure a lucky win. Good to see Bianca and Gabby in the goals although it seems we lose Gabby in the next week or so to an overseas job – working at some exotic location – no don’t feel sorry for her!
Chloe McLaren and Taylan Merrick and Gaby Samkova were amongst the best for the Rovers. The skippers Lucy Timmons and Bianca Lenarcic were both going hard early in the game despite the driving rain. Next week, the Rovers face new team Old Scotch at Camberwell Sports Ground.
HAMPTON ROVERS 1.3 1.3 2.3 2.3 (18)
AJAX 1.0 2.1 2.1 3.3 (24)
Goal Kickers: B. Lenarcic, G. Samkova
Best Players: C. McLaren, T. Merrick, G. Samkova, B. Lenarcic, A. Slamet
