Riddell is slowly getting used to being the hunted, not the hunter, in the Riddell District Football League.
After starting the season slowly, the Bombers have won their past seven matches to sit second behind unbeaten Diggers Rest.
The biggest test of that run came on Saturday when they overcame a determined Lancefield unit.
In a low-scoring affair, the two sides kicked a combined 10 goals in the first three quarters, with the Bombers leading by two points at the final break.
But Riddell found another level in the final stretch, kicking seven goals to one to win 12.8 (80)-6.6 (42).
Bombers coach Jamie Elliott said they were difficult conditions to adjust to.
“We started really well and were switched on in the first 10 minutes,” he said.
“It was difficult to get a footing on the heavy ground and even kicking for goal you could slip.
“It was hard to chip around, too, as if you missed the player it was hard to get into a better position.”
With almost half the Bombers side aged 20 or under, Elliott turned to some of the bigger bodies in the middle in the last quarter.
“The younger guys found the going tough in the conditions,” he said.
“With Brayden Allen in the ruck and some bigger bodies, I don’t think we lost a centre clearance in the last quarter. We got it to Brian Ruffell and James Nolan down forward and they kicked some goals.”
In fact, Ruffell managed four, Nolan and Haydn Ross two each.
With only the table-topping Diggers Rest having a longer winning streak (11), the Bombers find themselves in a similar position to last season when they won nine in a row.
Elliott, who wasn’t at the club last year, said some players had gone through the unbeaten run last season, but for others it was a new experience. ‘‘It’s turned from us hunting to being the hunted and the young guys are getting used to it,” he said. “They all deserve their spots, but they’ll have patches of brilliance and then go missing. Overall, we’re happy with how they’re going.”
Elliott said he was also happy with how the off-season recruits had settled into the side, with Scott Walsh, Ben Sonogan and Matthew Said being named among the team’s best on Saturday.
The Bombers face Broadford this week before a much-needed bye.
Elsewhere, Romsey pushed Macedon all the way; Rupertswood smashed Rockbank; Diggers Rest was too good for Melton Centrals; and Broadford beat Wallan.
