The Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic have slipped to third in the trans-Tasman netball standings after a 55-54 loss to the Queensland Firebirds in Rotorua.
Magic coach Noeline Taurua started shooter Jess Tuki at goal defence and it was the visitors that jumped out to the early lead.
While the scores were level just before half time, the homeside couldn't show any consistency and despite surging in the final minutes, they ran out of time.
Romelda Aiken and Natalie Medhurst both shot above 90 percent for the winners.
The Firebirds move up to 5th on the table.
The West Coast Fever notched up their third win of the season with a decisive 63-45 victory over the bottom-placed Central Pulse in Perth.
So New South Wales remain unbeaten on top with 20 points, Adelaide and the Magic have 14, the Southern Steel 12, and Queensland, Melbourne and Northern Mystics have 10.
There are 3 rounds remaining.
