Riddell continues to gain momentum in the Riddell District Netball League.
Traditionally slow starters, the Bombers are fourth with four wins and three losses and are coming off their most dominant performance this season with a big win against Melton Centrals.
Even their losses have shown positive signs, with the Bombers right in the game until the final quarter in two of those games.
Bombers’ playing coach Lauren Close said the team was happy with its results and was happy to be going under the radar.
“We’ve been trying to find our feet and the combinations,” she said.
“The team looks quite good on paper, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you play good netball.
“I’m really happy with how we started.
“It always takes time to come together and gel. We’re now starting to make an impact.”
The Bombers have a mixture of experience and youth in the side.
Close said while they all hadn’t played a lot together, four players, including three from their attacking end, regularly played netball together.
Close, Bec Colwell, Ellen Close and Maddi Wallmeyer all play for DC North East Blaze.
While the experienced players continue to show what they can do, Close has been impressed with what the younger players bring to the game.
In their last win against Melton Centrals, under-19 players Molly Trezise, Ashley Cole and Kiara Taylor all stepped up into the A-grade side.
Trezise and Taylor were named in the Bombers’ best.
“They stepped up and absolutely smashed it,” Close said. “Us more experienced players better watch our backs.
“With VNL [Victorian Netball League] clashes and a few players heading to Europe towards the end of the season, we’ll need them [younger players] to fit in.
“We’ll rotate them through the side the next few weeks.”
This week the Bombers face Woodend-Hesket after all sides had a bye for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Close said the break came at a perfect time, with several players playing multiple games of netball a week.
She said the focus for the rest of the season was to continue improving.
“We’re really happy with how we started,” she said. “We want to stick to our game plan. We’re not concentrating on the number of wins, it’s about doing what we do well.
“We saw last year it doesn’t matter where you finish when it comes to finals.”
In other matches, Diggers Rest hosts Wallan, Melton Centrals will look to return to form against Macedon, Romsey faces Rockbank and Rupertswood’s plays Broadford.
