The Hampton Rovers Seniors accounted for West Brunswick by 47 points at Boss James Reserve at the weekend in a physical and equally scrappy affair. Although both teams where desperate to make amends for recent losses, it looked as if the Westies would go into the game with an older, more experienced outfit than the Rovers.
Having made continual changes to the senior side for the past month, the coaching staff handed another pair of debuts to classy mid/forward Dillon Melnjak and agile ruckman, David Broadstock, who had equally important roles for the afternoon.
The game itself was a hard slog and as head coach Anthony Quon noted that “July is our critical month, we just need to keep posting the wins and tough it out”.
After an even first quarter, the second quarter became the turning point in a sluggish affair. Eight goals to one and the game was effectively over. Sam Clements was having a great day up forward and booted 4 goals for the day. The forward line was working overtime with young jet Cam Hetherington roaming at will and Brendan Culvenor, Miles Bergman and Ned Fallon kicking truly the Westies had no answers.
Throughout the day there was some great teamwork displayed by the Rovers and their link up game was impressive to watch. The backline defended solidly against a much improved West Brunswick attack, which had more pace and fluidity than the first encounter.
After the main break the opposition regrouped and with the benefit of a breeze kicked the first couple of goals for the quarter but that proved to be all. Harry Crisp, despite struggling with injury was playing a great game and continually mopping up the opposition mistakes. The Westies did hold the Rovers to one goal in the third quarter but in the final term the floodgates opened and while we had 10 scoring shots to one we only managed 2.8 but in any event ran out comfortable winners.
HR 2.1 10.4 11.8 13.16
West Bruns 3.1 4.1 6.5 7.5
Goal Kickers: S. Clements 4, C. Hetherington 2, D. Corp, C. Carnovale, M. Bergman, B. Kneebush, N. Fallon, B. Culvenor, M. Fletcher
Best Players: H. Crisp, S. Clements, D. Broadstock, J. Broadley, M. Rieniets, B. Culvenor
RESERVES
The earlier match provided to be a rollercoaster affair, with the Rovers going down by 5 points to West Brunswick to relinquish first place on the ladder.
The Rovers commenced a topsy turvy game with a number of early goals to lead the first quarter. However just as quickly as this happened, West Brunswick shifted into gear and found space in the middle of the ground which they used to clinically deliver the ball into their forward line. In the last 8 minutes of play the Westies had banged on 4 unanswered goals to lead by 20 points at quarter time and they looked too big and too strong with a couple of their midfielders dominating.
After the short break the Westies continued their rich vien of form, kicking 3 goals in the first 10 minutes. With more than a 6 goal lead it looked all over for Hampton. Having said this, the Rovers flicked the proverbial switch and suddenly it was their turn – getting it out of the middle and receiving quick entry into the forward line. This resulted in 4 unanswered goals to the Rovers at the end of the 2nd QTR cutting West Brunswick’s lead to 16 points at half time.
After the long break the Rovers continued in hot form with the midfield in control and the backline holding up well. At the last break, the Rovers had established a 2-point lead after being 40 points down midway through the 2nd quarter and looked the goods. This inconsistency continued for the rest of the game which became a contested ball struggle, where fatigue and concentration lapsed, leading the Westies to an eventual 5-point win.
HR 2.2 6.2 10.4 11.4 70
WB 5.4 8.6 9.8 11.9 75
Goal Kickers: N. Jackson 4, C. Miles 2, M. Timmons 2, J. Donald 2, T. Stewart
Best Players: M. Timmons, N. Jewell, J. Donald, B. Clarke, T. Jones, J. Hemsley
THIRDS
In the Thirds, the Rovers were outclassed by a lowly Chadstone side in a surprise result for the competition. The Rovers, who sat third on the ladder, can’t afford to loose too many more games if they hope to make a long awaited return to finals action in August.
After wrangling the lead in the first quarter, Chadstone get on top of the Rovers and continued to pile on scoreboard pressure. It was excellent to see Mat Ryan in the green and gold at full forward.
Chadstone 2.3 5.9 9.13 12.17 89
HR 1.5 2.5 2.11 4.14 37
Goal Kickers: A. Hoar, L. Cave, E. Melnjak, M. Ryan
Best Players: L. Cave, A. Hoar, D. Ebbott, L. Edgar, M. Ryan, J. Rees
WOMENS
The Hampton Rovers Senior Women’s side came close to attaining their first win of the season but were eventually outscored by Old Carey who sat one above them on the ladder.
It was neck and neck at the half time break, and the Rovers were matching Old Carey for almost every key indicator, including intensity. The game was up for grabs and stand-in coach Shem Curry was positive, there was a plan and the women just had to execute.
Unfortunately, as the third quarter wore on the Carey women seemed to get their teamwork working and were linking up with handball to running players which was creating problems for the Rovers defence. Then, all of sudden the Carey girls banged on 4 unanswered goals in 5 minutes and it was game over. The Rovers steadied at the end of the quarter to stop the flow of goals but it was too little too late.
The last quarter was again an arm wrestle with both sides kicking a goal but the game Rovers unable to bridge the gap. A tough loss with really only a 5-minute burst by the opposition the difference between the two sides.
HR 1.1 1.3 1.3 2.3 15
Carey 1.2 1.4 5.6 6.8 44
Goal Kickers: T. Hurst 2
Best: Temple, McLaren, Clarke, Naylor, McLaren
UNDER 19S
The Hampton Rovers Under 19’s faced the top side Mazenod away on Saturday and were upset by 80 points. The Rovers were gallant in a performance which did not accurately reflect the scoreboard result.
At half time, the Rovers were less then 3 goals down and had matched the Nodders in skill and desire. Unfortunately, as has happened often this year after the break, the Rovers relaxed and the opposition’s confidence rose. Mazenod took control and ran out comfortable winners. It was great to see Scott Ebbott and Jack Garrow, who are earmarked as potential regular Senior players in the future, appear in the best alongside Tom Butters and Blake Bergman who should also figure in those calculations in time.
Mazenod 3.9 5.13 10.15 16.21 117
HR 1.4 3.4 4.8 5.9 39
Goal Kickers: T. Marron 2, T. Sharry, O. Donald, B. Audige
Best Players: O. Donald, T. Butters, J. Garrow, S. Ebbott, B. Bergman
Thank you to all of the volunteers on the weekend. Without you, none of this could happen.
