With a half-time lead of 14 goals, Dimboola looked as if they were going to run away with the match, but found staunch resistance from Ararat in the second half. 

Despite Ararat’s best efforts, Dimboola held on to win by six goals, with the final score reading 52-46. For Dimboola, Nicole Polycarpou was dominant in attack shooting 29 goals, while for Ararat, Megan Shea was influential with 26 goals.

Ararat co-coach Lauren Armstrong said she was proud of her sides ability to fight their way back into the contest when it looked as though the game was going to be blown wide open.

Looking at the disappointing aspects of the match, Armstrong pointed to fundamental skill errors made by her side.

“It was a poor start – poor decision making and passing really let us down,” she said.

Ararat find themselves sixth on the ladder, one game outside of finals with six games to play. It does not get any easier though, their next assignment is against second-placed Minyip Murtoa.

Despite their ladder position, Armstrong is confident that the second half of the season will prove more fruitful than the first. “Hopefully we will have a full side next week, we’ve had a lot away in the last few weeks.

“We’re pretty much a completely new team, we only have three originals from last year, that’s why I think we will be better in the second half of the year,” she said.