Bay of Plenty Gold's hopes of promotion into New Zealand netball's top echelon are all but over after another loss at the national championships yesterday.
Following a win and a narrow loss on the first day of the championships in Palmerston North, Bay of Plenty needed victory against Eastern to stay in the running for a chance at fifth and sixth.
But a 42-48 loss has Bay Gold now needing the results of other games over the next two days to go their way - even if they beat Southland tonight.
Gold coach Hikitia Gallagher has no doubts Southland are beatable but knows it'll be tough.
The experienced Southland lineup features internationals Lesley Nicol and Donna Loffhagen, who came in to replace the injured Adine Harper. The southern pair will be difficult to combat.
The Bay will need to pull out all the stops to produce an unlikely win.
Bay Gold were unable to come up with such a performance yesterday after a disastrous start had Eastern up by eight goals in the early stages. Bay fell back late in the game to give Eastern the win.
Gallagher described her team's effort as hesitant. "They were reactive instead of proactive, instead of dictating the play."
Eastern were quick to pounce on that hesitation and turn it to their advantage with speedy passing through court and the goals readily going through the net.
The top two teams in the Bay's section will play off against the bottom two of the first grade for fifth and sixth place.
Before yesterday's loss Bay Gold were level with Eastern, with Southland leading.
Southland remain unbeaten and now have 12 points, the Bay remains on five while Eastern added to their tally to end day two on nine.
Bay Gold will face Counties Manukau in their final round-robin match tomorrow before post-section play begins for the first grade.
"Even if we beat Southland we will have to rely on other results but that means we are definitely still in with a chance and that's the way we have to approach the day," Gallagher said.
Following a debrief last night Gallagher said the team would forget yesterday's loss and had to move on. "No matter whether its a win or loss, you have to dump the previous game and move on.
"You can't go back so you look at what you need to do to progress."
Meanwhile, in the second grade, Bay of Plenty Blue also suffered a loss, going down 31-68 to Auckland Waitakere, who are looking to be the top dogs in the lower grade.
Despite the loss, Bay Blue are starting to gel. Continuing their good form from day one, the defensive combination of Pauline Craven and Mickayla Sievers proved effective, while through the court Terri Hohneck was a leading light at wing attack.
Meanwhile, Waikato continued their early dominance in the top six. After wins over Otago and Canterbury on Monday, Waikato made it three from three when they easily beat Wellington 50-35.
The only other unbeaten division one top-six side are Netball North, who prevailed 46-37 in a tight struggle with Otago. Canterbury's shocking run continued when they were beaten 42-40 by Auckland Waitakere.
Day two results:
Division one, top-six: North 46 Otago 37, Waikato 50 Wellington 35, Auckland-Waitakere 42 Canterbury 40.
Division one, bottom-six: Southland 56 Tasman 22, Eastern 49 Bay of Plenty 42, Western 49 Counties-Manukau 48.
Division two: Waikato Premier 76 North Blue 40, Otago 2 59 Waikato Senior 45, Taranaki 59 Counties Manukau 31, Canterbury B 64 Canterbury Country 23, Eastern 2 32 North Maroon 58, Southland 2 39 Wellington 2 37, Manawatu 58 Hutt Valley 31.