HORSHAM Saints have claimed the club’s maiden senior football premiership triumph, beating Minyip-Murtoa by eight points in Saturday’s reserves grand final.

In what was a low-scoring match, the Saints struggled to take full toll of their abundant opportunities, and could not break away from a Burras side that continued to fight to stay in the game.

The Saints led by 10 points at the first change after controlling much of the opening stanza, but paid the price for their inaccuracy as the Burras pounced in the second term to take a two-point lead into half-time.

The third term as certainly an interesting affair, as both sides battled for ascendancy.

Neither could add a goal in the third quarter, as the Saints booted four behinds to the Burras’ one to return to the lead at the final change.

Minyip-Murtoa kicked to the scoring end in the final term, and were expected to finish with all the running, but instead it was the Saints who made the first inroads.

A goal to Beau Cassidy gave them a handy break before another late in the match ended any hope of a Minyip-Murtoa revival.

Saints’ veteran Gavin Kelm was named best-on-ground in the 5.13 (43) to 5.5 (35) win.

Coach Dennis Hobbs lauded Kelm’s effort, after he was told he was not playing in the Saints’ senior side.

“It was tough,” he said.

“But he put his head down and said he wanted to do it.”

“You wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Hobbs said the side was certainly pinching itself.

“It’s a bit unreal at the minute. After 21 years in the comp, it’s just amazing,” he said.

“The way they did it, the way they stuck at it was great.

“They were missing shots they’d normall get but that’s the way it goes.

“So they had to make up for that ”

The Burras - who beat the Saints in the second semi-final - were well served by Jamie Jordan, Lachie Jordan and Caleb Hill.