The Rats dictated terms from the opening quarter, skipping away to a 11-goal lead by the first break before extending the margin to 24 by halftime.

Ararat coach Rebecca Skrabl said her side continued to press in the second half, resulting in the 68 to 21 smashing.

"Our first and third quarters were our best, which is something we have been working on," she said.

"We always want to come out and get a big hit straight away and the third has typically been the one where we have had a bit of a lull, so it was good to have a nice quarter then too.

"It was pretty average conditions, but I think that suited our style of play and I think it was important that everyone was really level headed.

"The girls played really short-sharp netball and really sensible netball too which was good."

Kate Bligh and Olivia West dominated the midcourt play and rarely turned the ball over, and together with Jakki Gibson gave sharp shooter Megan Shea plenty of opportunity.

"Megan had a boomer of a game shooting 53 goals," Skrabl said.

"Jakki, Westy and Kate all fed her really well and she finished it off perfectly."

The Rats will clash with bottom side Minyip/Murtoa tomorrow afternoon, before facing the four other teams currently occupying the top five during the run home.

Skrabl said it will be important the Rats keep their momentum going against the Burras with the only side to defeat them this season, the Horsham Demons awaiting in round 12.

"This week there may be a couple of opportunities to trial some new things we've got coming in to see if they are going to work," she said.

"The focus is Minyip, but we are definitely looking ahead to the Horsham match too."

Ararat's B grade missed its chance of moving into the top five, going down to the Saints by eight goals.

The Rats' regained joint-coach Kara Cunningham for the clash, which bolstered the attacking end, but the home side was still without key shooter Alice Laidlaw for a second week.

Zara Thompson again stood tall in the goal circle, netting 12, while Cunningham shot 16 goals.

Ararat led its opponent for much of the first and second quarters, but an 11 goal to 20 second half effort saw the Saints prevail - 36 to 28.

Hannah Miller and Grace Molloy both rebounded well in defence throughout the contest, while Maggie Alford, Jessie Shalders and Brooke Williamson provided plenty of drive through the midcourt.

The 17 and under Rats suffered a heavy loss to the Saints, 25 to 49.

A lack of confidence and some skill errors at crucial times proved costly for Ararat, as it trailed by five goals at halftime.

Jacqui Scott was solid all match as she took numerous intercepts and drove well through the midcourt.

Justine May and Lucy Mills were also the standouts, demonstrating their leadership and continually working hard over the four quarters.

The match of the day was the 15 and under A contest which resulted in a 32-all draw.

The Rats started very strongly and quickly found themselves in front by 13 goals at quarter time.

The lead was influenced by strong defensive efforts and turnovers from Monique Scott and clever passes into the goalies from Allison Lewis.

By halftime Ararat had maintained the buffer by nine goals, however the Saints came out firing in the second half and had the home side rattled.

A seven goal to three final term from Horsham, saw the two sides share the points.

Ararat's 15 and under B team went into its match with the Saints with plenty to play for, as both were locked on equal points at the top end of the ladder.

The Rats had a brilliant first quarter to open up a seven goal lead, with the new goalie combination of Annie Shea and Indie Calvert proving successful.

They passed well to each other and shot confidently.

Karly Griffits and Briony Cann continue to show improvement each week as a strong centre court duo, with Cann passing well into attack to help the side record the 34 to 31 victory.

The Rats' 13 and unders were without one of their strongest players in Katelin McDonald, which unsettled the side.

Sam Briggs was placed in defence against some very tall opposition, but that didn't deter her as she took some intercepts and caused mistakes for her opponent.

Olivia Carr was also very strong in defence and took some impressive rebounds, but it wasn't enough with the Rats going down 31 to 13.