The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic are well placed to press for home-court advantage in the trans-Tasman netball play-offs after toppling the previously unbeaten Melbourne Vixens 55-48 in Tauranga to go top of the standings.
The Magic have four regular season matches left although two of those are in Australia, including a game against the third-placed Adelaide Thunderbirds.
The goal attack Maria Tutaia, who combined with Irene van Dyk to convert all but three of their attempts, says it's a good boost to win over an Australian side.
Both national coaches Norma Plummer and Ruth Aitken were on hand to see the Magic edge ahead of the Vixens on the table on goal difference.
Meanwhile the West Coast Fever kept their final four hopes alive and denied yet another New Zealand team victory on Australian soil with a 59-48 win over the Southern Steel in Perth.
The Fever are now sixth, one place behind the Steel.
