A SPIRITED Rupanyup challenge against Edenhope-Apsley fell short in the final quarter at the weekend.

The undermanned Saints recorded their third win in a row and fifth of the past six games by finishing strongly and keeping the plucky Panthers at bay.

Inaccuracy hurt Edenhope-Apsley in the early going, with misses on gettable goals ensuring the Saints led by only three points at the first change.

The visitors opened up a four-goal lead at the long break but the Panthers refused to die, going goal-for-goal with the Saints in the third term.

They had a shot to get the margin back to single figures half-way through the final quarter but missed.

From then Edenhope-Apsley ran out strongly to win 15.13 (103) to 9.6 (60).

Saints coach Grant Coxon said his side had played well without several key contributors.

They included key forward Tom Clissold who was a late withdrawal, Grant Cother who was concussed playing school football and Sam McClure who was called up to the North Ballarat Rebels.

“Last time we played Rupanyup we won by a big margin and we knew it was going to be different this time,” Coxon said.

“I never felt uncomfortable, like they were going to overrun us, but they played very well.”

Will Middleton, Chris Oliver, Dave McLeish and Bernie Kealy were among the best.

Mark Riley and Matt Close swung from defence to attack with great effect, kicking three goals combined.

Rupanyup coach Mick Finnigan said Drew Tyler was the best player on the ground.

Tyler kicked three goals, while James Delahunty, David Lang and Nathan Sachse stood tall.

Geoff Rundell performed well in a run-with role on Saints star Brent Christie, and Jamie Barber added some X-factor in his first game for the year.

“In the tail-end of the game I think the fitness of some of the bottom-end players told, but we were extremely pleased with the way we performed,” Finnigan said.

“Things like recruitment hinge on what momentum we can build at the end of the year, so we’re hoping to finish off strongly.”