Forth took plenty of confidence from the 58-45 A grade loss at Davidson Oval on Saturday.

The Warriors were only down by two goals at the main break before the Blues got away.

"Knowing we can do it for two quarters means we can get there for four quarters," Forth said.

"It's probably a good problem to have."

The Warriors playing coach gave her team a pre-match pep talk which had her side firing early as it jumped to a 10-6 lead in the first quarter.

Young goalie Chelsea Quinn was deadly, hitting a number of long-range goals to give the home crowd plenty to cheer about.

"I think we just know we need a pre-game pump up to set the tone for the game," Forth said.

"We really enjoy playing netball together and positivity is a big factor for us."

Forth was pleased with the opening stanza.

"I thought we started really well and it was a real positive for us to know that we could run with them at least for the first half," she said.

"We can the see the areas we need to work on, but knowing we're not too far off the top spot is really good."

Forth said sticking to the game plan would continue to be the Warriors' focus going forward.

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"Probably we didn't stick to our game plan and we got a little tired," she said.

"We didn't come through on our leads and I don't think we respected the capability of their defenders.

"They have beautiful hands over the ball and we just misused the ball."

Nirranda's defenders Cloe Marr and Lisa Anders featured in their team's best players.

At the other end, Blues coach and goalie Steph Townsend made a statement with her stunning performance.

Townsend, helped by youngster Sophie Adams, netted 42 goals in trying conditions.

The Nirranda mentor looks to be the most dangerous goalie in the competition and sits second for most goals in the league (374).

Adams, who finished with 16 goals, said it was great to play alongside her coach.

"She really sets the pace and the tone in the ring which is really good," she said.

Adams, 20, has been playing netball with Townsend since she was about 15-years-old.

Blues wing attack Lisa Couch missed the match with a back complaint.

Meanwhile, Panmure broke its five-match losing streak with a thrilling 48-47 victory over Kolora-Noorat.

Coach Stacy Dunkley said the crowd was electric in the dying moments as the Bulldogs hung on.

Experienced wing defence Kelly Jones, who was named best on court, made a stunning return after missing matches with illness.

The result indicated that the Bulldogs have improved significantly this season.

Last time the teams met in round one, Kolora-Noorat won 51-29.

Dunkley, who was proud of her team, said it came down to "new players gelling and everyone working together".

Merrivale, which jumped up into second spot, thumped Russells Creek.

Coach Carly Peake said she tried combinations she hadn't before.

Young goal keeper Tatum Cassidy played at wing defence.

Peake said the Tigers' focus was on their ball use and applying scoreboard pressure.

In other results, Timboon Demons trounced Allansford while Dennington overcame South Rovers.

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