It was blowing a gale at Greenhill Reserve and Riddell rode it home to victory

It was blowing a gale at Greenhill Reserve on Saturday and Riddell rode it home to a season-reviving win over RDFNL rival Wallan.

Greenhill Reserve or tornado alley?

The wind was blowing a gale on Saturday and it was Riddell that rode it home to a nine-point win over hosts Wallan.

Despite being kept scoreless for two quarters the Bombers’ defence held firm against the breeze and were more efficient in attack with it at their backs.

The 5.7 (37) to 3.10 (28) victory squares the reigning premier’s record at 4-4 and lifts it back into the RDFNL top-five.

Riddell coach Justin Belleville said it was an ugly game to watch and praised his players determination in difficult conditions.

Jesse Horton in action for Riddell. Picture: George Sal

“We were rapt, the conditions were no good, so it could have gone either way,” he said.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, the wind was blowing straight down the ground and you literally couldn’t run the ball up.

“It was like a rugby scrum more than anything else, lots of tackling pressure, it was one of those games where you’ve just got to take our opportunities and have a little bit of luck go your way.”

Riddell failed to trouble the scorers in the first quarter but was able to limit Wallan to 1.5 with the wind.

The Bombers then piled on 3.3 in reply to turn an 11-point deficit into a nine-point lead at half-time.

The Magpies again struggled to take their chances with the wind in the third term, kicking 2.3, to have their noses in front by just six points at the final change.

With the wind at their backs, Riddell finished strongly – although inaccurately – with 2.4 to get over the line.

“Our first quarter set us up I reckon, that was probably the heaviest (wind),” Belleville said.

“To limit them in the first quarter really set us up when we couldn’t even get the ball down our end.

“It gave the boys belief, we had a lot of young players that hadn’t been in situations like that, so to have them come in and perform was really good.

“I was taking to Nugget (Daniel Nolan) after the match and he said he hadn’t seen it that bad for years.”

Tommy Alkemade continued his outstanding start to the season with best-on-ground honours.

With several teammates sidelines, the Bombers leader has taken on more midfield time and flourished.

“That’s just down to work-rate, he’s been amazing,” Belleville said.

“I was explaining to the group last week, it’s no surprise when you look like blokes like Tommy, Bryce Williamson, Ben Sonogan and Haydn Ross.

“They’re the hardest workers on the track and they get the rewards on the weekend.

“He’s stepped up into the midfield with a few out, he played 50-50 midfield last year but now he’s a starting midfielder every week.”

Brad Mundy, Nathan Croft and Jesse Horton also impressed for the victors.

Riddell expects to be without captain and star ruckman Josh Grabham for the rest of the season after he injured his knee against Lancefield before the long weekend.

Nathan Mills stepped up from the reserves and played a key role.

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“Millsy came up from the twos and did a great job,” Belleville said.

“He’s played some senior footy for us before, he’s a big body and competes well, which was good.”

Riddell will look to make it three wins on the trot when it travels to Western Rams, while Wallan will look to bounce back when it hosts Romsey.

Elsewhere, Macedon was too good for Romsey, winning by 17 points, Diggers Rest eased past Melton Centrals by 31 points and Lancefield smashed Western Rams by 89 points.