Melbourne Vixens have resisted a strong challenge from the NSW Swifts to score a 61-59 away win and move level on points with West Coast Fever at the top of the Super Netball ladder.
The Vixens moved to 5-0, but remain second on percentage behind the Fever, while the fourth-placed Swifts dropped to 2-3, 12 points behind the top two.
The visiting team led for most of the game at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney, ahead by one at quarter and halftime and at one stage in the third period stretching out to a nine-goal buffer.
Swifts shooter Helen Housby knocked down five successive Super Shots to tie the scores at 49-49 at three-quarter-time.
The visitors re-asserted themselves in the final quarter, never allowing the Swifts a chance to hit the front.
It was 57-57 with little more than four minutes to go, but the Swifts' long-range shooting faltered down the stretch as Housby and Sophie Fawns each missed two Super Shots.
Vixens shooters Sophie Garbin (30/35) and Kiera Austin (25/27) were rock solid, with the former also grabbing four rebounds.
Housby, who had a rare poor shooting outing last weekend, bounced back, making nine of her first 10 Super Shots and finishing with 10/13 and 21/24 overall.
The English star had a great battle with Vixens and Diamonds goal defence Jo Weston, who had four gains and four interceptions.
Vixens goal keeper Emily Mannix maintained her strong early season form with five gains, three deflections, an intercept and a couple of clutch rebounds late in the game.
“We really like to work as a unit in defence and we always talk about trying to build that pressure,” Weston told broadcaster Fox Sports.
"That paid off towards the end, with the Swifts missing a few shots and Emily Mannix getting those amazing rebounds.
“We’re just trying to build week in week out, and keep the winning streak going.”
With co-captain and midcourter Maddy Proud out with a knee issue, the Swifts lacked a little drive and cohesion going forward.
In her absence, fellow co-captain Paige Hadley got through a mountain of work and was her team’s standout player.
“(Proud’s) leadership and drive and her finesse on the ball we definitely missed, but it gave the opportunity for Lili Gorman Brown to get her first start this season, and Grace White her debut,” Hadley told Fox.
“I was trying to stick to my game plan, I probably want into help mode a little bit.
“I’m definitely pleased with that effort to come up against the Vixens, who are undefeated, and push them right to the end.
“I’m really proud of that, but we had moments where we could have taken that win.”
