The Saints were no match for the Demons at Benalla Showgrounds, with the visitors running riot to hand Benalla a 42-73 defeat.
From the opening whistle Benalla was on the back foot, as the Demons went on a five-goal run to start proceedings before Bridget Hill put the Saints on the board, but the slow start meant the home side went into the first break down 9-16.
While scoring improved in the second term, with the Saints adding 11 to their total, Shepparton United had its equal best quarter of the contest, pouring in 19 goals to open the margin up to 15 at half time.
The Saints came out firing after the main break, a strong five-goal-to-two start to the third term seeing the home side cut into the lead; however, a flurry of Demon goals late in the term once again saw the advantage pushed out further, with the Saints trailing 32-54 with a quarter to play.
Despite their best efforts, the Saints were unable to claw back any of the margin in the final term, with the Demons again winning the term to claim the win by an eventual 31 goals.
Gemma Mathieson was tireless in the midcourt as Benalla’s best in the loss, with Milly Evans and Nikita Hanson working hard at either end of the court to round out the most influential players.
While the loss drops the Saints into bottom spot on the ladder due to percentage, there was silver lining in the defeat, with 42 goals being the second-highest score Benalla has put on the board this season, with the Saints’ ability to find a way to goal improving as the season wears on.
In B-grade, the Saints were beaten 24-41, with Claire Marriot, Jo Toms and Darcy Carracher in the best, while Alex Keast, Remi Nicholas and Maddy King led the way in B-reserve despite the 19-43 loss.
The under-17 side went down 33-40 in a solid showing, with Bronti Musti, Georgia Levy and Eliza Sammon the most influential, while the under-15 team lost 26-63, with Liv Davis, Ruby Duncombe and Darcy Carracher named best-on.
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