After scores were level at quarter time the Saints got busy to open up an 11-goal lead at half-time before the game ended 59-49.

Saints coach Jess Cannane said her side continued to gel and become more confident as the season progressed.

“The more wins we get on the board the more confident we will be,” she said.

The home side’s momentum in each quarter seemed to rely heavily upon the ability of goal shooter Maggie Caris to convert her opportunities.

The young shooter shot at 50 per cent in the first quarter before lifting her percentage to just below 80 in the second as the Saints built a lead.

Stawell coach Kelly Cosson said her side made its strongest start of the season.

“So far this season we have got off too poor starts and have been out of the contest early,” she said.

“We played well defensively, we shot well but we could not match the Saints for height in the goal ring.”

Stawell cut the lead to just five at the final break as Caris’ shooting percentage again dropped below 50 per cent.

Cannane said it was important that her side converted when it created turnovers.

“I think that is what has helped us get the wins in recent weeks,” she said.

“It is our resilience to make sure we can make the most of the intercepts we get.”

Fast and efficient ball movement allowed the the Saints to open the margin back up in the final quarter before sealing the 10-goal win.

“Each team had momentum at different stages of the game,” Cannane said.

“We would score quickly after moving the ball well but then we would relax a little bit too much and that allowed Stawell opportunities to come back at us.”

Victoria Taylor played an important role for the Saints after stepping up from 17 and under netball.

“We have a lot of young players who have stepped up for us without missing a beat,” Cannane said. 

Cosson was pleased by the consistent improvement of her side.

“That’s all we can ask for,” she said.

“We know that we are going to struggle each week because we do not have the height.

“Most teams will have at least one player on either the attacking of defensive that we can not match.”

Stawell’s best player on was Maggie Clough.

“She was strong for us at goal shooter throughout the game,” Cosson said. “Tarnee Orr also played well feeding her from wing attack.”