The Queensland Firebirds have soared to second on the Super Netball ladder with a stirring home win over traditional fierce foes NSW Swifts.
When the two teams last met in the opening round, the Swifts fought out a one-point home victory and there were similar never-say-die vibes in the return fixture as the Firebirds prevailed 60-57 in Brisbane on Sunday.
Despite the Firebirds taking the first three quarters and accompanying bonus points, NSW were never far behind while not quite able to draw level.
Errors from both sides at key moments piled up in an intense clash but they evened out as the Firebirds led that tally with 26 general play turnovers to 25.
Swifts goal keeper Sarah Klau was important to that end, a disruptive force in the face of one of Super Netball's more exciting attacking pairings.
Firebirds goal shooter Romelda Aiken (43 goals from 49 attempts) and goal attack Gretel Tippett (17 from18 and 16 assists) turned the ball over 10 times between them, allowing the Swifts to stay in touch.
Firebirds captain Gabi Simpson was pleased with how quickly her side was able to recover from any missteps.
"The biggest thing is being able to apply pressure from the very start to the very end," she said. "When we do have those lapses, how quickly we can bring it back."
The Swifts' surprise mid-game injection of Sophie Garbin (19/23) at goal shooter for last week's MVP Sam Wallace (13/15) wasn't enough to outdo Queensland captain and goal keeper Laura Geitz, who forced the need for change despite giving up 8cm to Wallace.
The Firebirds (5-3) went into the round level on competition points with the Swifts, but the result sent them from outside the top-four into second spot, behind only the West Coast Fever with six rounds remaining.
TheSwifts (5-3) fell to sixth after claiming just one point for winning the last quarter.
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