WNA - Four out of five Ararat netball teams recorded comfortable wins over Dimboola at Alexandra Oval last weekend.
A grade led by only six goals against the Roos at the first change, but by half time they extended the margin to 16 goals.
Coach Megan Shea shot 50 of the Rats' 67 goals, dominating play in the ring.
At the other end of the court Tahnee Waterston played an impressive game in defence, restricting Dimboola goalies Shannon Pietsch and Abbey Newton to 30 goals.
Waterston was awarded best on court, taking out the Nectar Ambrosia award.
Shea said she was pleased with the way her side took control of the match.
''Once again we set our sights on improving our score from the last time we played them,'' she said.
''Our second and third quarters were by far our best. We didn't finish off very strongly but I thought it was a pretty good game from the girls.''
Shea praised mid court players Olivia West and Kate Bligh for their delivery in to the goal circle.
''Their passing into the ring was just fantastic,'' Shea said.
''They were really patient getting it in there, and along with Jakki Gibson were very clever with their passes.''
B grade has retained third position on the ladder, defeating the Roos 50 goals to 20.
A number of Rats were played out of position but in a great team effort they took control of the match from the start.
All players rose to the occasion, with pressure down the court allowing Ararat to take many intercepts.
Bree Fiscalin was impressive in defence, while Kara Leach extended her lead in the league goal shooting competition and was awarded second best on the day.
Leach shot 37 goals last week, bringing her season total to 263 goals.
The win will give the team a boost of confidence in the lead up to their match with Stawell tomorrow.
The two sides are currently equal on the ladder, with the Warriors holding second place only by a narrow percentage.
The Under 17 side had another solid win last week, defeating Dimboola by 23 goals.
Despite a slow start, Ararat started to fire mid way through the first quarter, opening up an eight goal lead by quarter time.
Dimboola's early intensity threatened to throw the Rats off their game but the team regrouped in the remaining three quarters and was harder at the ball than its opponents.
Kira Payne and Chloe Madex applied relentless pressure down the court and took solid rebounds and intercepts all game.
Mid court pressure and precision passing gave the Ararat goalies plenty of opportunities which they used to great effect.
Alice Laidlaw was named best on court after shooting accurately all game, while the passing and decision making of Marnie Harris earned her second best.
It was the battle of the bottom two teams when the Ararat 15 and unders met the Roos.
At half time the scores were all tied up but the girls lifted after quarter time and improved their intensity right across the court to record a 37 to 22 win.
The Rats scored freely in the third quarter, with the defence of Laura Higgins, Julia Boatman and Madi Dalgliesh causing many turnovers.
The girls continued their hard work in the final term, opening up an early 10 goal lead and running out comfortable winners.
The 13 and unders were the only Ararat side to go down to Dimboola, suffering a 13 to 32 defeat.
The team started slowly and missed some opportunities from great defence from Josie Frawley and Zoe Oliver.
The 13 and unders have been working hard to play in front which showed through in last week's match.
Ellie Jeffery passed beautifully in to the goalies and positioned well on the ring.
Rachel Billett adjusted her game in the second half which enabled her to get her hands to many balls.
In the last break the girls were told to go back out and enjoy themselves.
They did not disappoint their coach and out played the opposition in the final quarter, with their never say die attitude again impressive.
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