A close-fought encounter at Coughlin Park between Horsham Saints and Stawell Warriors went down to the final seconds, with the Saints eventually winning 11.13 (79) to 11.8 (74).

The Saints started the far stronger of the two sides. They kicked four goals before the Warriors registered a single point, and led 7.5 (47) to 2.1 (13) at the end of the first quarter.

The Warriors alleviated any fears of a rout in the second quarter.

Yet the space and time the Saints had enjoyed in the first quarter disappeared in the second quarter, as the Warriors began to show why they were on top of the table.

By halftime, the Saints had failed to add to their score and had their lead eroded to just 11 points.

But the Warriors started the fourth quarter brightly and within the final 10 minutes managed to take the lead for the first time in the match.

After taking the lead, the Warriors initially showed great composure. They patiently passed the ball across the field, as the final siren grew closer.

However, when the Saints finally regained possession a piece of individual brilliance would unravel the Warriors' hard work.

Nicholas Caris claimed a sensational mark in the Warriors defensive 50. Leaping above a pack of players to claim the ball just metres from goal.

Caris converted the chance to help Saints regain the lead and ultimately win the match.

Stawell now find themselves sitting second with six wins and two losses for the 2021 season.

Their attention will now turn to hosting the Ararat Rats at home on Saturday. The big improvers of the competition, the Rats will be looking to push the Warriors and will be finding ways to minimise the margin which they succumbed to on Good Friday.

Over on the inside courts, it was another game that went down to the wire for the A Grade netballers.

Youngsters Madi Taylor and Molly Orr along side Eliza Bennett were missing from the team on Saturday which left Jemma Clarkson on the bench, resting after an injury the week before against Horsham Demons.

It didn't stop Stawell's surge early, creating a five-point buffer in the first quarter.

Accuracy cost the Saints early - in the second they made amends and took a handy six-point lead into half time.

Warriors coach Courtney McIlvride rallied the troops and again Stawell were back to their best in the third.

A 14-10 third term closed the margin to just two.

It was a tense final term - going goal-for-goal with both teams making the most of missed opportunities from both scoring ends.

In the end the Warriors couldn't make up the lost ground and went down by two.

Stawell's season sits balanced on four wins and four losses and are sitting fourth on the 2021 ladder.

They will take on seventh-placed Ararat Rats at the weekend. It will be another fantastic game to watch as the Rats have hit their stride coming into the middle of the season.