The Saints trailed for most of the day before Maggie Caris kept her nerve to convert after the final whistle in her side’s 62-61 win against the Horsham Demons.

Coach Shannon Reinheimer said it was an exciting way to win.

“It felt a bit like the grand final last year because we just had to keeping pegging back the lead all game,” she said.

“It was about not losing hope and continuing to believe that we could do it.”

The Demons were able to establish a six-goal lead during a strong opening quarter. The side was then able to extend it to a game high eight goals early in the second before the Saint started to build momentum.

The home side was able to close the margin to two goals by half-time but the Demons continued to hold sway in the contest through the third quarter.

“We would catch up, then Horsham would blow out the lead again, then we’d catch up again and they would be able to blow it a little more,” Reinheimer said.

Strong belief within the Saints group and hard work through the midcourt by Ash Grace eventually allowed the side to level the scores in the final minutes of the game.

It was then up to Caris to convert after time had run out to give the side its fourth win of the season.

“Ash ran eight kilometres during the match which gives you an idea of just how much work she does,” Reinheimer said. “She always manages lifts everyone at both the attacking and defensive ends of the court.”

The win lifts the Saints back into the top five at the expense of a Dimboola side that could not match Minyip-Murtoa on Saturday.

The Burras only had a narrow three-goal lead at the first break before putting the foot down in the second quarter.

By half-time the side had established a 12-goal margin and built on it further to lead by 18 with a quarter to play before Dimboola was able to close the gap in the 64-49 loss.

Maddie Morgan and Jenna Clark led the way for Minyip-Murtoa in the win, while Ant Toet and Louisa Vague were important for Dimboola.

Ararat proved too strong for Stawell to remain in touch with the grade’s top three sides.

The Rats ran out comfortable 55-29 winners led by Krytal Fisher and Jessica Williamson.

Ararat coach Donna Spalding said her side was strong defensively under the ring and that it was also great to welcome Kate Bligh back to the side after an injury layoff.

The Warrack Eagles were once again far too strong for the Southern Mallee Giants in a comfortable 89-20 win.