Tara Murray
The opening round clash between Macedon and Riddell delivered again with the Bombers coming home with hard fought win the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.
Playing for the PUKA Up Cup, which raises mental health awareness, the opening round is special for both clubs.
Playing a twilight match at Tony Clarke Oval, the match went down to the wire.
Neither team was able to get control of the game on the scoreboard in tricky conditions.
The Bombers did just enough to come away with the 6.5 (41)-5.7 (37) win.
It was all single goal scorers for the Bombers.
Mick Edwards in his debut for the club was their best, with Bryce Williamson and Stephen Treweek also having good games.
For the Cats, Jason Cooke kicked two goals. Declan Phyland, who was making his Cats debut, was their best.
The other matches in round one were more one-sided.
Wallan stunned Romsey, keeping them goalless in windy and wet conditions.
It was a low scoring first quarter with the Magpies unable to convert their dominance on the scoreboard.
The game broke open in the second quarter when the Magpies kicked 6.1. With the weather deteriorating further the scoring got harder in the second half.
The Magpies won 13.11 (89)-0.4 (4).
Corey Grindlay, Matt Perri and Jake Layley kicked three goals each in the win.
Jarryd Bonello was named best on ground.
For the Redbacks, who went into the game understrength, Kane Brinkhuis was named their best.
Woodend-Hesket came away with a big win against Lancefield under lights at Gilbert Gordon Oval.
It was an even first quarter, with the Hawks leading by eight points at the first break.
From there it was all the Hawks, as they kept the Tigers goalless for the rest of the match.
The Hawks won 9.13 (67)-2.7 (19).
New Hawks playing coach Josh Pound kicked four goals in the win, while Jack Arceri and James Hicks kicked two goals each.
Justin Rodda was named best on ground, while Arceri was also a standout in his first game for the club.
For the Tigers, Ben Richmond kicked both their goals.
Thomas Keaney was named the Tigers best, along with Anthony Pacers and Lukas Fellows.
In windy conditions, Melton Centrals were able to account for an improved Western Rams side on Saturday, winning 17.14 (116)-3.4 (22).
Jared Scott and Jarrod Spry kicked three goals each for the Centrals.
Centrals coach Mark Pederson said there was a really even spread of contributors in the win.
“Jimmy Roberts was a bit of a standout, as was Adam Tomac, Dylan Clarke and Peter Akech in the ruck.
“It was a pretty good even spread and we got quite a bit out of it.”
For the Rams, it was all single goal kickers.
Ricky Cameron in his return to the club, was named their best along with Phillip Hoyland.
Diggers Rest had a bye.
