West Coast Fever finished their trans-Tasman netball season on a thrilling high, recording a 40-38 come-from-behind win over Central Pulse in Perth.
The Pulse controlled the majority of the contest and led by as many as six goals during the third quarter.
The Fever had to endure some shaky shooting from star pair Caitlin Bassett (15 of 23) and Catherine Cox (21 of 33), but hit the front with three minutes to go and held on.
It was just the third victory for the Fever, capping a campaign that promised so much with highly-respected national coach Norma Plummer taking over and bringing star veteran shooter Cox with her.
With Bassett and Susan Fuhrmann at either end of the floor and some good young talent, there was reason for optimism.
But it has been a first season to forget for Plummer, and didn't seem like it would get any better for much of the game against the mid-table Pulse.
The Fever's season started promisingly with wins against New Zealand teams Canterbury Tactix and Southern Steel, but there were eight straight losses coming into the final game at home to close the season.
Ending with a ninth loss on the trot would have been a disaster for the Fever, but they showed plenty in fighting back against the Pulse.
Ashleigh Brazill in the centre was particularly outstanding, as she has been all season for West Coast.
Caitlin Thwaites (27 goals from 31 attempts) was a standout for the Pulse, who finish the season with a 5-8 record.
Fever coach Norma Plummer was glad that her team eventually got reward for their efforts in having 17 more shots for the game than the Pulse, and has no doubt West Coast is on the right track going forward.
"Our shooting was pretty bad but it's the end of the season so I don't care, we got a win," Plummer says.
"You look at our attempts against theirs we had so much ball, and didn't capitalise as good as we could have but our defence end was just amazing.
"This franchise is on the move. We've got a new CEO who I believe has got some fantastic ideas, he understands sport and I think he will be able to deliver what we need.
"We do need a couple of change ups here and there, but I think with the support behind us that all the players have to do is keep growing."
NZN