Ararat's perfect start to the season has come to an end at the hands of Horsham in a high-scoring affair.
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The Demons fired across the court as they took advantage of an undermanned Rats side to notch an impressive 77-43 win.
Horsham co-coach Amanda Worthy said she was pleased to get a win against a highly-fancied opposition.
"They hadn't lost a game yet, and they are always a very strong team, so we were going in definitely expecting it to be a hard game," she said.
"I think we were pleasantly surprised with the result in the end."
The Rats were without 500-game goalie Megan Shea and young gun Racquel Scott, who was resting a minor injury, for the clash.
Despite the notable omissions, the new-look Rats fought hard and entered the first-quarter break only three goals behind.
Horsham started the second term with intent and drew the game away, with attacking pair Emma Buwalda and Romi Miller ever-threatening in the goal ring.
Buwalda collected 53 goals in the game and Miller 18.
The Demons held a 19-goal lead at half-time and didn't falter in the game's closing stages to claim a clinical 34-goal win.
Worthy said it was one of her side's better performances.
"I think the girls played one of their best games of the season today, they played really well," she said. "We've been working hard this season, and everything came together, and we played four really good, strong, consistent quarters.
"They really ran out the game and played hard until the final buzzer went. We had a really good game, everything kind of clicked today; it was very pleasing."
Although the win moved Horsham closer to Ararat in the top two on the ladder, Worthy said she'd expect it to be a different encounter in the reverse fixture.
"Not to take anything away from our girls, we were pleased with the game but know it will be a lot tougher next time," she said.
The result leaves Minyip-Murtoa as the only unbeaten side left in the league, after an 84-33 win against Nhill.
Kirby Knight shone with 51 goals, while Alex Lang was named the Burras' best, in what's fast becoming a regular affair.
Dimboola snapped a five-game losing streak with an impressive 49-42 win against Stawell.
Billie-Jo Barber was the Roos' best, collecting 24 goals.
Elsewhere, the Horsham Saints held out in a four-goal thriller against the Southern Mallee Giants.
Only three-goals separated the sides at half-time, but a 35-goal haul to Abby Hallam saw the Saints over the line, 48-44.
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