It has been a tough season for the Bay of Plenty Gold netball team but when it really mattered they turned in easily their best performance of the season to beat Western 41-40 in the promotion-relegation battle at the Lion Foundation Netball Champs.
Bay of Plenty led 38-34 with five minutes to play in the final quarter but then conceded five straight goals to be facing a disappointing defeat until some inspired play by wing attack Simone Howe turned over possession.
Roared on by the home crowd at the TECT Arena, the Bay fought back and then tied up the game 40-40, after a fine pressure goal from goal attack Kendra Falefitu.
The Bay had the centre pass with 20 seconds left but could they do it?
It was all about keeping cool and getting the ball to Falefitu or goal shoot Arahi Wall, but it was never going to be easy and Western nearly stole the ball in the last frantic few seconds.