The return to the winners’ circle for last year’s grand finalists was in doubt until just the final moments of the match, but Job Done’s shooting combination – Sophie Cole and India Bignall – secured the victory.

Head coach Kris Lonsdale praised the shooting combo’s efforts in the close win, considering it was the pairs’ “first full game together” after Shanaya Neesom was ruled out of the clash.

“[They] did well, especially because our main shooter was out,” she said. “Because they’re not really used to playing with each other it made a bit of a difference to our attacking end.”

Read: Lions come out on top in all-Souths derby clash

Lonsdale also said she was pleased with the competition points, but had expected to secure a “more comprehensive” victory as the team looks to return to the finals after their runners-up efforts last season.

Despite that, she revealed she was pleased with the defensive efforts to keep the team ahead, and praised both keeper Olivia Cole and goal defence Kristen Tangye, the latter of whom was named player of the match in 2017’s grand final.

“Fever had a really tall goal shooter in their attack, so she was really hard to keep out for the girls,” Lonsdale said. “Tangye had a really great game and she’s one of our strongest in defence.”

The win moves Job Done into fifth place in the standings, just one point off third, and Lonsdale believes the squad will “find themselves in finals” as the reverse fixtures loom on the calendar.

“We have been missing a lot of players over the first round of fixtures, and we had to forfeit the first match of the season too,” she explained. “Now that we’re getting players back we are confident we can make it back to finals, that’s what we have been aiming for.”

Read: Heart and Fury remain undefeated after opening three fixtures

Elsewhere at the Jack Stewart Netball Courts,  Watters moved to 25 points with their 42-19 win over now-fourth placed Crossfire, while Purnells scored a 52-37 win over Sass to move into third place.

Finally, Heat stayed two points ahead of Watters on top of the table with a 62-25 win over last-placed Fury, despite the defeat team’s shooter Hannah Elsley recording one of the best shooting percentages of the round – an impressive feat in the blustery conditions.

TABLE: Heat (27), Watters (25), Purnells, Crossfire (19), Job Done (18), Sass (14), Fever (10), Fury (9).