The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic remain second in netball's ANZ championship after defeating the Northern Mystics 50-35 in Rotorua.
But the season keeps getting worse for the defending champions New South Wales Swifts who're on four points after they lost 58-54 to the Queensland Firebirds in Sydney.
The Magic started slowly in an often physical match which saw players on both sides needing treatment.
However their superior shooting secured their sixth win in seven games, leaving them on 12 points level with the only unbeaten side the Melbourne Vixens, who have a game in hand.
The Vixens and Magic are four clear of the Adelaide Thunderbirds, the Firebirds and Southern Steel..
The Mystics defended well but turnovers in the circle and erratic shooting shooting cost them any chance they had of making the playoffs.
They're on four points and have a bye next weekend while the Magic play the Southern Steel in Invercargill next Monday.
