By Tara Murray
Romsey is quickly finding itself as the team to beat in the Riddell District Football League.
Having lost just one game heading into the weekend, the Redbacks were keen to test themselves against the undefeated Diggers Rest side.
While even on the scoreboard at half-time, it was the Redbacks who fired all the shots in the second half.
An 8.10 to 3.1 second half sealed the Redbacks best win of the season, 12.19 (91)-8.7 (55).
Redbacks coach Corey O’Sullivan said the playing group stuck to the game plan.
“I think you could count on one hand the number of times a side has come to Diggers and got the win in the last few years,” he said.
“It’s a hard ground to win at and a hard ground to play at.
“We made a concerted effort across the board.”
O’Sullivan said while they trailed by three points at the main break he thought they had control of the game.
He said it was a matter of sticking to their structures.
“I thought we had missed some opportunities that we needed to take,” he said.
“I was confident if we worked hard enough for long enough, that those scores would start to come.
“We had 35 scoring shots. If you have that many scoring shots, you’re likely to come out on top.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Diggers Rest vs Romsey
Mitchell Jensen continued his good form, kicking four in a best on ground performance.
O’Sullivan said from his perspective it was a an even team effort.
“There was no standouts,” he said. “To beat Diggers at home you need 22 contributors and everyone stood up when needed.”
Thomas Taylor was named the Burras’ best, but he didn’t have many other friends stand up.
The win moves Romsey to the top of the table.
O’Sullivan said they weren’t getting ahead of themselves. He said the difference this year to the past two, when they finished sixth on both occasions, was that the playing group understood the game plan better.
“We’ve been in pretty good form throughout and the structures are standing up,” he said.
“We still have to come up against some really good sides.
“We still have to play Riddell twice and we think they’re a really good side, and we still play Rupo who knocked us off in round two.”
In other weekend results, there were four one-sided matches.
Riddell was back on the winners’ list, defeating Woodend-Hesket 24.18 (162)-5.8 (38).
Rupertswood had little trouble against Lancefield, winning 23.18 (156)-1.1 (7). Nick Grigg continued his good form with seven goals.
Jason Cooke kicked 15 goals as Macedon had a day out against Rockbank, winning 44.22 (286)-2.0 (12).
Melton Centrals got a much-needed win, beating Broadford 18.13 (121)-4.8 (32) at Harley Hammond Reserve.
