Here we are. Another year of home and away games completed. What an adventure and ride it’s been. Fifteen rounds all done and we now have earned the right to play off against East Brighton in one of the finals.
We had our last game against East Malvern. Of course, our aim was to go into the finals with winning form, but we were guaranteed of 3rd spot regardless of the result. East Malvern had to win to finish 4th. They were pumped up more than us and seemed fully determined to get into the finals. Weather was very windy and it didn’t quite know which was to blow. Max L and Ryan P were our captain’s for the day.
Into the breeze we started ok and was 8pts down at quarter time. James H continued his recent form with a great goal after a smart tap by Charlton T. My two Benny’ s were back. Ben H killed it in the first half and was rewarded with a great goal and Ben W was shepherding and pushing us forward. He was getting to the front and it’s very timely he’s got his running burst back. Mikey P didn’t miss a target coming out of full back. Mitch R was back to marking everything. Harry BG and Ollie E were backing themselves down back and leading their opponents to the ball. Huddy J took a belter of a mark and continued to be our most important link. He booted a major in the 3rd term as well. Harry B got a pearler of a roving goal and we were still only 8 pts down at the main break.
Max L started to get involved in the tight contest and was getting great support from the little brigade of Sandro M and Ollie S. Matty B and Oscar M were winning every ball that went near them and tackling hard. Speaking of tackling, it’s been a real positive and characteristic we’ve excelled in. Harry B tackle in the 3 qtr time siren was amazing and it’s those acts that spurred us on into the last term. Keegan M and Gideon Z were running crazy in the second half. Harry W was taking the game on and had around 5 entries forward for the term. Jake S and Ryan P were asked for big efforts and copped a few hits in the closing stages. Freddie S was looking dangerous in our push for the win and Wes S was prolific in the last quarter. He unfortunately couldn’t find the middle of the posts. Whilst they didn’t score in the last, we fell 7 pts short.
Congrats on the Div 6 boys on knocking off the top team to make the finals as well. We’ll all be training together Wednesday.
On behalf of myself and the two Chris’, thankyou for your support in what has been a very enjoyable season. Now to the real stuff. As I said on Sunday, we deserve to be there and it’s time we gave East Brighton a loss in the match that matters more. We’re on 9am @ LePage oval in Cheltenham.
Go Hampton Rovers – Best mates!
Cheers
Wayno
