Missing their on-court bookends, Horsham Saints held off a spirited Horsham Demons for an eight-goal win in Wimmera league A Grade netball on Sunday.

With Jorja Clode unavailable due to Bendigo Strikers’ under-23 duties and usual goal keeper Erin Martin also missing, the Saints fielded a slightly different line-up against the reigning premiers.

Lena Marshman ably stepped into the goal shooter position, scoring 37 goals, while the experienced Zeena Kelm found herself back in A Grade to fill the Saints’ goal keeper position.

The Demons were out of the blocks early to take a 15-13 lead at quarter time as the top two sides faced off at the Saints’ home stadium.

But the Saints stepped it up a notch in the second term, outscoring the Demons 19-14 to take a three-goal lead into the main break. The third term also saw the home side on top, edging the lead out to seven goals, as defender Maddison Bethune led by example.

An even fourth quarter ensued, with the Saints able to maintain their unbeaten record in 2025.

Jorja Jones, in wing-defence, was named the best for the Demons, who this week will host Nhill at Horsham City Oval.

Meanwhile the Saints will travel to Dimboola, which is coming off a three-goal loss to Ararat on Saturday.

Ararat survives

In a close match, Ararat survived a tough encounter against the Roos.

The Rats’ 14-goal second quarter dominated Dimboola, who managed only six goals for the term.

Demi Bligh and Laney McLoughlan, with 19 goals, led the way for Ararat, who took its foot off the pedal in the third term, and were outscored 6-9.

With only five goals separating the two teams at three-quarter time, Bridget Dorrington and Maddison Marra performed best for the fast-finishing Roos, who fell short in clawing back the lead.

Ararat will be hoping for back-to-back wins when it faces Stawell this weekend. 

The Warriors went down in a thriller to Minyip-Murtoa on Saturday, losing 43-35.

Played at Murtoa, the match was close throughout, with the biggest margin coming when Stawell got out by six goals in the third term.

But the Burras clawed their way back into the match late in the third term to set up a thrilling last quarter.

Both sides swung changes at the last break, and with just four minutes to go, scores were level.

Minyip-Murtoa’s Johanna Griffiths, who played most of the game in centre, and Molly Fagan, goal defence, inspired the Burras to 45-43 win, as the Warriors’ best were Alannah Deutsher and Ruby Peters.

The Burras are every chance to continue their winning ways this weekend against Warrack Eagles, who are coming off a 57-29 loss to Southern Mallee Thunder.

The home side, playing at Beulah, were too good for the Eagles, leading at every change, through the stellar work of Steph Thomson and Jodie Hayes. 

The entire July 9, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!