The ladder-leaders were in front at every change before finishing as comfortable 53-35 winners.

UB Pride coach Kerry Lightfoot said tall goaler Elizabeth Nicol was a force under the ring for the Saints, causing plenty of headaches for Ballarat defenders.

Nicol's influence on the match was intensified by the withdrawal of Pride's Caitlin McPhee with a knee injury. McPhee adds height to the team's defence, which Lightfoot believes might have helped in nullifying Nicol's dominance.

"(Nicol) definitely set the win up. She shot 10 from 13 in the first quarter and gave them a very good start. She is very hard to stop," Lightfoot said.

"Georgia Tatnall contests hard, but she was at a big disadvantage height wise."

Lightfoot said there was some excellent passages of play from her side, but it was the lack of consistency and wasted delivery through mid-court that hurt the Ballarat girls.

Pride in fact won the third quarter 12-11, but it was never enough as the Saints dominated the rest of the match.

Lightfoot said Molly Boyle continued her good form for Pride last night.