Tight race to netball finals

Ararat needs a bounce-back result against arch enemy Horsham in Wimmera Netball Association this weekend if it wants to stay in the race for a finals double chance.

The Rats fell 12 goals short of beating MinyipMurtoa last week and find themselves sitting delicately in fourth spot on the ladder.

If Ararat can cause a boilover at Horsham City Oval court on Saturday, it will then play Nhill in a game it should win and then pick up points from a last-round bye.

But Horsham is the stumbling block and the Rats will need to improve after their 41-52 loss to the Burras.

Minyip-murtoa produced strong first and third quarters, which, along with accuracy from its goalies, proved the difference between the teams.

The Burras, who will enjoy a week off with a bye, continued to play without disruption despite four positional changes at half time and pressed home their advantage.

Strong defensive pressure forced turnovers in a strong team game featuring Kirby Knight anchoring goal-shooting responsibilities and Maddi Morgan and Georgia Mclennan sharing goal-attack duties.

Mclennan had a dominant run in wing attack and took that into goals in the second half, while Laura Delahunty showed her determination and drive in both wing defence and wing attack to secure best-on-court honours.

Ararat started the game confidently, especially with the return of experienced players Tahnee Walker and Kate Bligh.

But the Rats were unable to adjust to some calls against them in the first quarter, although they responded in the second term to outscore the Burras.

Ararat was moving the ball well but lost mo- mentum at the change of ends and found itself in arrears. Despite an even last quarter the damage was done.

Jess Williamson used her agility at wing attack to move the ball well and earn best-on-court honours for the Rats.

Krystal Fisher also played another consistent game in defence, using her exceptional reach to pick off many balls.

Horsham will meet the Rats after coming off a big win against Nhill.

The Demons led all game and Emma Buwalda stole the show under the ring for the winners, shooing 51 goals, while Penelope Manserra also played well at wing attack.

Tough match

Nhill has another tough game, against Dimboola, which sits just outside the top five.

Keeper Sarah Dickson and wing defence Lauren Tink were the Tigers’ best last week and will need to again play well to upset the Roos.

Dimboola was off its game against Horsham Saints, crashing badly after a relatively even start.

Jodie Hayes in the centre was best for the Roos in a lean game for the visiting side.

Horsham Saints, with defender Tara Jasper controlling one end and shooter Maggie Caris in charge at the other, will take good form into a game against Southern Mallee Giants.

The Saints should be far too good for the Giants, who finished 19 points behind a spirited Stawell side last week.

Lauren Mclean and Zoe Turnbull tried to keep their team in the game against the Warriors, who managed to keep breathing space on the Giants at every change.

The win was Stawell’s second for the year and the team, which had goal attack Jemma Clarkson and keeper Ebony Summers playing well, now confronts competition leader Warrack Eagles at Warracknabeal.