by Chris Yeend
Romsey is inching closer to the top of the Riddell District Football Netball League ladder after a strong come-from-behind win over Melton Centrals at Romsey Park. The Redbacks hit the front for the first time of the game at the eight-minute mark of the third term against the rampaging Centrals. The lead lasted three minutes before the Centrals took control again. The Redbacks restored order with a Mitch Brewer goal at the five-minute mark of the final term and they were never headed again on their way to a 30-point victory.
Pink Netball Day
The Romsey Football Netball Club celebrated Pink Netball Day and the club officials, players and supporters were all decked out in pink in a carnival like atmosphere to raise money for Breast Cancer Network Australia. The Romsey senior players wore pink guernseys to celebrate the day and several female and male club officials raised money by shaving their heads. It was an enormous effort from the club and they raised lots of money.
Centrals on fire
The Centrals had yet to lose a game for the season and kicked with the aid of a strong wind. Their disposal was clever from the outset and they played with a purpose. Wade Livingstone kicked the opening goal of the game in the first minute thanks to a telling mark. He kicked truly from 60 metres out to a big roar from the crowd. His goal was the first of 10 straight for the term across both sides. Josh Armstrong showed his remarkable form of late with two goals from a free kick and on the run. His team mate Jared Scott showed lots of cleverness around the forward 50. The cheeky left-footer kicked two goals to open up a 30-point lead heading into quarter-time. A Jackson Mills special for the Redbacks restored the margin back to 24 points at quarter-time. Despite kicking with the wind, the Centrals played with great confidence and clear decision-making. Mark Gillman was a force with several bullocking runs through the middle and long kicks. David Broose with the shining light in the ruck for the Redbacks.
Game levelled out
The Redbacks kicked themselves back into the contest with four goals to two. Three of those goals came from free kicks and hard work from Ayden Tessari across half-back. A Josh Armstrong goal in the shadows of half-time kept the margin to eight points in favour of the Centrals. Both teams suffered injuries with Romsey speedster Danny Harrison coming off with an arm injury and Central's Wade Livingstone off with a knee injury. Neither team could concede an inch in the third term. Melton Central's Adam Fenton kicked a goal at the 20-minute mark of the term to send the lead out to 15 points in what was a very even quarter.
Redbacks' avalanche
Romsey put foot to the floor to start the final term. The Redbacks kicked four goals in five minutes to hit the front by 10 points at the seven-minute mark. The Centrals started to encounter discipline concerns as they gave away easy free kicks and unnecessary 50-metre penalties. Both teams traded goals in the middle part of the term with seven goals kicked in just 10 minutes of play. Chris Petroro's goal from a free kick at the 14-minute mark extended the lead to 11 points and ended the Centrals resurgence. Andrew Hunter was a star for the Centrals in the middle and Rob Evans was a ruck across half-back. Romsey had many winners in the last term with Brewer, Cam Dawson and Brad Mitchell winning plenty of the ball in an entertaining win. The Centrals were the better team for the best part of the day but the Redbacks capitalised on their few errors and kept themselves ahead on the final siren.
Other games
The Sunbury Kangaroos welcomed back Leigh Fishendon to the team and spoiled Woodend/Hesket's premiership reunion with a 38-point win. The Hawks played their best game of the year against the reigning premiers who were at full strength. John Baker kicked eight goals and Chris Collins was a stand-out for Lancefield as they defeated Kilmore by 59 points thanks to a six-goal-to-nil final term. Riddell flexed its muscles with a nine-goal win over Macedon at the Tony Clarke Reserve. Stuart Clarke kicked four goals for Diggers Rest that easily accounted for Rockbank. Leigh Brennan kicked five goals to lead Rupertswood to a 46-point win over Wallan.
Last Modified on 07/05/2013 12:49