The work over the past few months has paid off for Riddell, as it claimed its first win in the Riddell District Football League women’s competition.
The only new side in the competition this season, the Bombers have reduced the margin each week as they hunted for their first win.
After falling just short the previous round, the Bombers were able to hold off Lancefield on Saturday night to win, 2.5 (17)-2.3 (15).
Bombers coach Rob Bretherton said it was a pretty special moment for the group.
“The girls have been working very hard for a few months and it was great to get the outcome for them,” he said.
“In week one the margin was 70 points then it was 40 and then 17 points. Last week we should have won, but had a goal not allowed and had a one point loss.
“It’s been really good to have that continued growth and we’re pretty rapt.”
Bretherton said the focus had been each week on making sure they improved and for them the scoreboard was irrelevant, until Saturday night when they secured the outcome they wanted.
He said they had been able to show that improvement as they instilled in the group how they wanted them to play.
“Last night [Saturday] was another step in that growth,” he said. “They put the faith in to put a ladies team together and it’s a fantastic environment.”
With a function at the club on Saturday night, there was a big crowd about to see the Bombers take on the Tigers.
Bretherton said it was a real arm wrestle all night.
“We had more dominance in the first half,” he said. “After half time, Lancefield’s experience and maturity got them back into the game.
“We held on late. We had some players out and we lost a couple of girls during the game, so we had to hang tough to get the win.”
Ruby Taranto and Ashley Unsworth were the goal kickers for the Bombers.
Mariam and Charroud Habib were named the Bombers best.
For the Tigers, Luzanne Paeglitis, Abbie Sarginson and Alice Bromley were named their best.
Riddell has the bye this week.
Bretherton said he was never a fan of the bye and it would have been nice to keep the momentum going.
After the bye, the Bombers faced Romsey.
“We have to play our roles and it doesn’t matter who we play, we want to be hard to beat,” Bretherton said.
“We’re trying to create good chemistry as a team that wants to work together.”
In the other match, Mount Alexander Falcons got their first win of the season as they beat Romsey, 5.8 (38)-1.5 (11).
After taking an early lead, the Falcons were able to build on it through the rest of the game to come away with the points.
Macedon and Melton had byes.
