In one goes, out one comes. The Hampton Park reserves, flogged by Berwick, trudge into their rooms, while the senior side runs out to meet, and beat, the Navy Blues. 66116Picture: Gavin Staindl
By Mark Gullick
HAMPTON Park dealt the red-hot Berwick a 33-point thumping at Robert Booth Reserve on Saturday.
With Berwick coming off a blistering win over Beaconsfield and Hampton Park succumbing to Doveton last round, the Wickers went into the match as warm favourites.
Hampton Park dominated, kicking six goals to two in the opening term over a shocked Berwick.
McLean was brilliant, booting three goals and handing off another one.
He kicked five goals for the game and was the best forward on the field.
The Redbacks led by 37 points at half-time and had firm control of the match.
Berwick outscored the home team in the second half – with six goals to five – but the contest was well and truly decided by that time.
“It was a good win, especially after last week,” Hampton Park coach Clint Evans said.
“We pretty much had to win because if we lost, then we’d be fighting for a finals spot. We were very disciplined in the way we played. Our first quarter and a half was fantastic.”
The win provided a bonus for Evans, who got one over his former club.
“It’s always good going up against your old side and having a win,” he said.
“To their credit, they kept coming. They’ve got a lot of young guys and on a big ground if you give them space, they’ll tear you up. They did that a few times to us. We knew that if we gave them a bit of room they would cut us up, but our pressure was fantastic.”
Linden Fredericks and Craig Lombard supplied plenty of drive for Hampton Park, while Nathan Dawes, Brett Armitage and Dean Jamieson were steady contributors in the impressive win.
Hampton Park faces Narre Warren this weekend.
“It’s going to be huge,” Evans said. “We go down to Narre, which is a small ground as well, which will hopefully suit us. They had a win (last week) and they’ve got some quality players. We’ll be up against it again, but we’ll take some real confidence after the (Berwick) win.
“It’s a historical thing with Berwick going to places like Hampton Park and the mindset is perhaps negative and get intimidated,” Wickers coach Dean Rice said.
“We gave them a five-goal headstart and we ended up losing by five goals, it was very similar to what happened at Pakenham (in round three).
“I made it clear before the gameabout that, and that Hampton Park would be up for the game. (Hampton Park) wanted to play on their terms in the first half and we did. For whatever reason, the players had the mindset of being second to the ball.”
Berwick’s best players were Jason Rahilly, Brad Fowler through the midfield and ruckman Steve Finlayson.
Jake McLardy, Paul Vanschilt and defender David VanDiemen were serviceable.
Berwick hosts Tooradin-Dalmore on Saturday.
@BT Sub Sport News:TOORADIN-DALMORE v DOVETON
DOVETON claimed a 34-point win over Tooradin-Dalmore at the Tooradin Recreation Reserve.
The Doves fought off several spirited challenges from the home side, but had enough class to record a solid win.
Doveton kicked six goals to three in the opening term, but led by only one-point at the long break.
The Seagulls lifted in the second term, but couldn’t maintain their standards.
Doveton kicked 10 goals to four after half-time.
“It was a hard-fought contest, itwas only after half-time that we kicked away,” Doveton coach Mark Ladgrove said. “The boys are really starting to develop some spirit and we’re quite pleased with them.”
Ryan Hendy kicked four goals, as did Harley Primrose, who came into the team from the reserves.
Clint Wilson has claims for the best ruckman in the league at the moment and the big man put in another influential performance.
Ryan Pearson and Matthew Miller worked hard in the midfield, while defender Michael Rodriquez and Mitch Woolgar played well.
Doveton hosts ROC this weekend.
“We really rate ROC,” Ladgrove said. “They beat us at home last year, which we don’t think is easy for anyone. So we know what they’re capable of.”
