Sunshine Coast Lightning have held off a fast-finishing Giants Netball to score a 56-55 win in Sydney to ensure a top-two finish on the eve of the inaugural Super Netball finals series.
The Lightning, who went into Saturday night's match in second place, led by six goals in the second quarter and went to halftime ahead 32-28.
However, the Giants - desperate to leapfrog the star-studded Queensland side and secure the double chance - rallied in the third quarter, drawing level at 39-39 in the 13th minute.
The teams were locked at 41-41, going into the final quarter, and it appeared the Giants would prevail when they staged an unanswered five-goal run midway through the term. But the Lightning struck back with a stirring seven-goal spree to grab the upper hand.
In a nail-biting finish, the Giants pulled back to within one point, before goal attack Kristina Brice had the chance to lock it up at the death, but missed.
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"It was tough. I know how much both teams will get out of this game heading into the finals," Lightning coach Noeline Taurua said.
"It was definitely a see-sawing game and, in those last five minutes, it could have gone either way. We're lucky that we came out on top and we get a guaranteed life heading into the finals."
Brice's last ditch miss wouldn't have changed the ladder standings, with the Giants needing a win to get over Sunshine Coast.
The result means the Giants will host an elimination final next week against Collingwood Magpies. The Melbourne Vixens are confirmed as minor premiers after their 68-42 defeat of the West Coast Fever later on Saturday night in Perth.
Laura Langman's up-tempo effort in midcourt was key to the Lightning's win, while goal shooter Caitlin Bassett was as dependable as ever with 39 goals at 95 per cent accuracy.
For the Giants, who head into the finals on the back of two losses, veteran Susan Pettitt led the way, ably backed up by in-form attacking partner Jo Harten.
"It shows how quickly you can lose a match," Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald said.
"It was in our hands. They had a timeout - I think it was seven in a row after the timeout.
"So it certainly shows ... that you've got to keep playing until the end. They were silly mistakes that cost us."
