MONASH University Central got back on the winner's list — just — in their Victorian Netball League round 2 clash against North East Blaze at the State Netball and Hockey Centre, Parkville on Wednesday night.
Central, which lost its opening game of the season, was desperate for a win and broke away to a 26-16 half-time lead.
But the Blaze fought their way back into the game in the third term as scores closed to 34-30 at the last change.
In a see-sawing final term, either side could have won the match.
In the end Central held steady to take the win, with emerging goal shooter Steph Tyrell rebounding her own missed shot with just seconds left and shooting a goal to give her side a 42-41 win.
Central coach Leesa Maxfield said her side played an excellent first half before falling away and allowing the Blaze to come back into the match.
"The start was great but the end wasn't so good," she said.
"In the third quarter we fell apart and lost our way.
"Then we had to play goal for goal in the final quarter, and we managed to leave it until the final seconds to take the lead.
"The Blaze like to move the ball very fast so we were trying to slow them down, which we did until half time."
Central goal shooter Sarah Main shot 19-25 shots while goal shooter Stacey Northey shot 19-34 shots, with Tyrell shooting 4-7 after coming on in the last quarter.
After several close losses to the Blaze in past seasons, Maxfield said she was relieved her side managed to win despite their unimpressive second half.
Maxfield also challenged her shooters to improve their shooting percentages
Main will play for Victoria in the 21 and under state team this week.
In division 1, Monash University Central beat the Blaze 37-35 while the Central under-19 side beat the Blaze 64-37.
There are no VNL matches this week due to the 21 and under Australian netball championships.
Matches will resume on March 20 with Central facing Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels at 7pm.