Despite falling short by 17 goals, the Roos led by three at quarter-time and trailed by two at the main break.

Coach Tahlia Williams said she was thrilled her team was continuing its strong form, which had seen it secure a finals berth for the first time in 39 years.

“Saturday was the first time in the past four or five years we’ve been up at quarter-time against them,” she said.

“Everything we’ve been working on throughout the year came together.

“Ararat stepped it up a notch in the second half but we kept fighting, which was great to see.”

The Rats regrouped at half-time, extending their lead to 17 goals at the final change before winning 54-37.

Goal attack Megan Shea, who was acting coach in Rebecca Skrabl’s absence, said her side had to work hard to overcome its slow start.

“We’re not used to having a team come out at the start like that and do that to us,” she said.

“Instead of panicking, the girls took on board the jobs they needed to be doing and once we pegged them back we were able to work on getting a lead and maintaining it.”

Shea said a number of her players were recovering from illness.

“We had quite a few people who had been sick from a bad bout of the flu and they’re still recovering,” she said.

“We didn’t have our legs. Dimboola had five goals on the board before we got a goal.”

Shea said juniors Danielle Borrelli and Lauri Williamson benefited from playing on Dimboola’s key play-maker, wing attack Antoinette Toet.

“She’s very experienced and a classy feeder into goals, so we encouraged our juniors to learn from her,” she said.

“She’s a good role model for our kids and, although there’s competition between sides, we’re encouraging our players to use players in other teams as role models.

“It’s a compliment to the talent in the Wimmera league.”

Shea and defender Tiffany Boatman earned best-on-court honours for the Rats, while defenders Carly Werner and Abbey Greig were Dimboola’s standouts.

Williams said Werner and Greig were pivotal in the ring, forcing Ararat’s shooters to make a number of errors. “Every position put in 100 per cent,” she said.

“I’m ecstatic with our effort and hopefully we can carry that form into our last two matches.”

The remaining round 14 matches were one-sided affairs.

Warrack Eagles led at each change to defeat Minyip-Murtoa 68-36.

A 17-goal-to-five opening term set up the win, although the Burras continued to fight out the match.

Eagles Megan Werner, 35 goals, and Briodi McKenzie, 33, starred in the ring despite the defensive efforts of Lateesha Gascoyne and Lauren Hotker.

Consistent defender Penny Fisher continued her strong season to be named best on court for the Eagles, while team-mate Petah Winsall impressed in centre.

Opposing centre Laura Delahunty was a standout for the Burras, who goal shooter Emma Huff, 16 goals, served well.

Stawell’s tough season continued with a 33-goal loss to Horsham Saints at Central Park, Stawell.

The Warriors are undergoing a rebuilding phase this year after losing several key players in the off-season.

The Saints came out of the blocks hard to score 18 goals to Stawell’s three in the first quarter.

The Warriors improved in the second and third terms, but were unable to peg back the deficit.

The Saints enjoyed a stellar  final quarter, converting 14 goals to Stawell’s three to claim victory 63-10.

Two-time reigning premier Horsham Demons recorded a clinical win against Nhill at Davis Park, 84-30.

Midcourters Abbie Avery and Paige Lloyd earnt best-on-court honours at centre and wing attack, while Georgia Duncan scored a game-high 52 goals.

Nhill goal keeper Sarah Etherton was lauded for her efforts to repel the Demons’ attackers and was well supported by Meg Sampson.

Versatile Stephanie Jones, who rotated through goals and the midcourt, was also among Nhill’s better players.

Nhill will have another tough task on its hands at the weekend when it travels to Alexandra Oval, Ararat to take on the Rats.

In other round 15 matches, ladder leader Horsham Demons will take on third-placed Warrack Eagles; fourth and fifth sides Dimboola and Horsham Saints will clash at Coughlin Park, Horsham; and Minyip-Murtoa and Stawell will both fancy their chances when they go head-to-head at Murtoa.

FINALS contender Dimboola enjoyed its strongest performance in years against Wimmera Netball Association powerhouse Ararat on Saturday.

Despite falling short by 17 goals, the Roos led by three at quarter-time and trailed by two at the main break.

Coach Tahlia Williams said she was thrilled her team was continuing its strong form, which had seen it secure a finals berth for the first time in 39 years.

“Saturday was the first time in the past four or five years we’ve been up at quarter-time against them,” she said.

“Everything we’ve been working on throughout the year came together.

“Ararat stepped it up a notch in the second half but we kept fighting, which was great to see.”

The Rats regrouped at half-time, extending their lead to 17 goals at the final change before winning 54-37.

Goal attack Megan Shea, who was acting coach in Rebecca Skrabl’s absence, said her side had to work hard to overcome its slow start.

“We’re not used to having a team come out at the start like that and do that to us,” she said.

“Instead of panicking, the girls took on board the jobs they needed to be doing and once we pegged them back we were able to work on getting a lead and maintaining it.”

Shea said a number of her players were recovering from illness.

“We had quite a few people who had been sick from a bad bout of the flu and they’re still recovering,” she said.

“We didn’t have our legs. Dimboola had five goals on the board before we got a goal.”

Shea said juniors Danielle Borrelli and Lauri Williamson benefited from playing on Dimboola’s key play-maker, wing attack Antoinette Toet.

“She’s very experienced and a classy feeder into goals, so we encouraged our juniors to learn from her,” she said.

“She’s a good role model for our kids and, although there’s competition between sides, we’re encouraging our players to use players in other teams as role models.

“It’s a compliment to the talent in the Wimmera league.”

Shea and defender Tiffany Boatman earned best-on-court honours for the Rats, while defenders Carly Werner and Abbey Greig were Dimboola’s standouts.

Williams said Werner and Greig were pivotal in the ring, forcing Ararat’s shooters to make a number of errors. “Every position put in 100 per cent,” she said.

“I’m ecstatic with our effort and hopefully we can carry that form into our last two matches.”

The remaining round 14 matches were one-sided affairs.

Warrack Eagles led at each change to defeat Minyip-Murtoa 68-36.

A 17-goal-to-five opening term set up the win, although the Burras continued to fight out the match.

Eagles Megan Werner, 35 goals, and Briodi McKenzie, 33, starred in the ring despite the defensive efforts of Lateesha Gascoyne and Lauren Hotker.

Consistent defender Penny Fisher continued her strong season to be named best on court for the Eagles, while team-mate Petah Winsall impressed in centre.

Opposing centre Laura Delahunty was a standout for the Burras, who goal shooter Emma Huff, 16 goals, served well.

Stawell’s tough season continued with a 33-goal loss to Horsham Saints at Central Park, Stawell.

The Warriors are undergoing a rebuilding phase this year after losing several key players in the off-season.

The Saints came out of the blocks hard to score 18 goals to Stawell’s three in the first quarter.

The Warriors improved in the second and third terms, but were unable to peg back the deficit.

The Saints enjoyed a stellar  final quarter, converting 14 goals to Stawell’s three to claim victory 63-10.

Two-time reigning premier Horsham Demons recorded a clinical win against Nhill at Davis Park, 84-30.

Midcourters Abbie Avery and Paige Lloyd earnt best-on-court honours at centre and wing attack, while Georgia Duncan scored a game-high 52 goals.

Nhill goal keeper Sarah Etherton was lauded for her efforts to repel the Demons’ attackers and was well supported by Meg Sampson.

Versatile Stephanie Jones, who rotated through goals and the midcourt, was also among Nhill’s better players.

Nhill will have another tough task on its hands at the weekend when it travels to Alexandra Oval, Ararat to take on the Rats.

In other round 15 matches, ladder leader Horsham Demons will take on third-placed Warrack Eagles; fourth and fifth sides Dimboola and Horsham Saints will clash at Coughlin Park, Horsham; and Minyip-Murtoa and Stawell will both fancy their chances when they go head-to-head at Murtoa.