Brian Ruffell boots 10 goals as Riddell thumps Romsey in RDFL

BRIAN Ruffell kicked a bag to help propelled Riddell to its first win of the season in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.

Riddell District Football Netball League round 4 match between Riddell and Wallan on May 9 2015. Riddell 18.18 (126) defeating Wallan 9.9 (63). The Magpies Danny Doolan manages to foil the Bombers Brian Ruffell from marking safely overhead. Picture: Aaron Cook

A 10-GOAL haul from Brian Ruffell propelled Riddell to its first win of the season as it hammered reigning premier Romsey in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.

After being among the Bombers’ better players in defence in a Round 1 loss to Diggers Rest, Ruffell was sent to the other end of the ground to start as full-forward at the weekend.

The move, which came about because of the absence of James Nolan in Riddell’s attack, paid dividends and could well be one Bombers coach Jamie Elliott makes more often this year as Ruffell piloted his team’s 24.12 (156) to 6.8 (44) triumph.

“I think he’ll probably float a little bit this year,” Elliott said.

“But once he’s forward and he’s clunking them, he’s a great kick for goal and he made the most of his opportunities.

“I think we’ve got a lot of fellas that can go forward and back now so we might be able to confuse sides a little bit more.”

Romsey came out firing early and had the better of the first 10 minutes.

But Riddell soon outmuscled the visitors in the middle of Riddells Creek Reserve to take control.

By quarter-time, the Bombers had kicked eight goals to hold a 40-point advantage and the contest was well and truly run and won by three-quarter time, the gap having widened to 81 points.

“Obviously they (Romsey) have lost a couple of players but they’re still really competitive,” Elliott said.

“I don’t think the score really reflected the game itself. We probably got away on the scoreboard but I don’t think we were that far apart really.

“Their first five minutes you would have thought they were going to control the game. But we turned it around and started getting the ball out of the middle a little bit.”

Ruffell was not the only star up forward, with Ben Said bagging four goals.

Tim Walsh again led the way down back while brother Scott and Jason Allen were others to impress.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Sunbury Kangaroos overcame Broadford by 43 points, Wallan downed Melton Centrals by 15 points, Woodend-Hesket thumped Rockbank by 129 points and Diggers Rest defeated Lancefield by 49 points.

Macedon and Rupertswood will meet in an Anzac Day clash today.