Rupertswood record first ever win over Romsey in ‘wet slog’ in Riddell District Football League

RUPERTSWOOD had never beaten Romsey in the Riddell District Football League. Until Saturday.

RDFL: Sunbury Kangaroos V Rupertswood

FOR  RUPERTSWOOD coach Ben Jordan, it was another box ticked.

Since joining the Riddell District Football League in 2013, Rupo had not beaten Romsey.

On Saturday night, in wet and trying conditions, they accomplished the mission.

The visitors pulled off a 5.4 (34) to 4.6 (30) victory at Romsey Park to kickstart their campaign.

The match came a week after Rupertswood had been handed a 48-point belting by Sunbury Kangaroos and although this weekend’s win was not pretty, more endeavour was evident.

“We think the Kangas will be a pretty handy side but we thought let’s not dwell on that one and just focus on this week,” Jordan said.

“We managed to skip out to an early lead which was pretty critical for us in the end and we were just able to hold on in a wet slog.”

Romsey’s line-up may have a new look to it this season, but the Redbacks have been a force to be reckoned with in recent times.

The loss was their first since falling to Riddell in the first semi-final in 2013 after they strung together an undefeated 2014 campaign and had a bye last weekend for Round 1.

“We talked early in the game about both sides having significantly different personnel from last year,” Jordan said.

“Romsey, being the champion team last year, had 11 or 12 guys that weren’t there. So for us it’s about being a new season, both teams were yet to win a game and let’s take that attitude. Everyone seemed to buy into it and we gave it our best shot.”

Playing his 100th game, Brent Swallow was again a standout through the middle for Rupo. Brett Chambers was a class act down back and the big-bodied Darragh McGovern won plenty of contested footy in the centre.

After playing two top-four prospects including the reigning premier, the going does not get any easier for Rupertswood this week.

It will head to Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve to face last year’s runner-up on Saturday.

“We looked at the fixture and we knew it was a tough start but we had a similarly tough start to last season and I think in the long run it held us in good stead,” Jordan said.

“So we’re not complaining about it. We’ve just got to get on with it and go to Diggers and see if we can do a bit of damage down there.”