Horsham Saints finals bound

Reigning premiers Horsham Saints appear finals bound for the third consecutive year after a triumphant clash against Ararat on Saturday.

The fifth-place competitors have had their fair share of woes in the 2019 Wimmera Netball Association season and are still to battle a mix of teams. But a solid round 13 performance against the fourth-rung Rats has strengthened their grip on another finals play-off.

Saints took charge from the offset, with best-on-court Ashlee Grace and Larnie Hobbs helping maintain pace for a 61-46 win, while Rats Megan Shea and Krystal Fisher were their side’s best.

Ararat will now head into a bye. Saints, meanwhile, will be looking to go one step further when they face third-placed Warrack Eagles, a team coming off a nail-biting match against Dimboola.

The Roos were close to sealing a second upset win at the weekend, running three goals ahead in the first two quarters, with Katie Magee working well to keep the Eagles at bay.

But it was in the second half that a win started to slip away, Eagles Sarah Spicers in mid-court and defender Jessica Kelly helping turn the tables and secure Warrack’s 5047 win.

While having proved their competitiveness this season, the Roos still have a tough task ahead when they meet Horsham.

The Demons were unforgiving to their Stawell opponents at the weekend, more than doubling the eighthplace Warriors with an 84-35 win.

Demons Olivia Jones at wing and Paige Lloyd at centre were voted best on court.

A round-14 fixture will now place Stawell against Minyip-murtoa, which continued its undefeated run in a 26-goal win over Southern Mallee Giants.

Giant Amy Dodds was strong in attack, offering 17 goals, but ultimately unable to weave through Burras Taylor Mentha and Alex Lang. Coach Billie Bibby also served the Minyip-murtoa side well again in centre.

Nhill, returning from a bye and still yet to place a win on the board, will host the Giants this week.