REIGNING SFNL netball champions Ouyen United have kept their incredibly slim finals chances alive thanks to a vital four-point victory against Merbein, and Red Cliffs losing by one point against Robinvale Euston.
A 49-45 away win for the Kangas at Compound Accounting Park on Saturday has firmly tightened the battle for that last finals spot.
The travelling side displayed their fight, holding firm in the final period to edge out the Magpies, whose top six position is now under serious duress.
Merbein, South Mildura and Imperials all sit on the same number of wins, separated only by goal average, with the Pies narrowly clinging to sixth, one victory away from Red Cliffs.
With Ouyen now just a win behind that trio, the logjam for the last remaining finals spot promises a tense stretch on the road home.
The 2024 title takers have had a struggling year thus far with just three games won and 10 defeats, however, their crucial weekend success has offered the tiniest ray of sunlight in what has been a gloomy season to say the least.
For Merbein, it was a missed opportunity to catch the Tigers while potentially offering themselves some breathing room from the rest of the pack on the ladder.
With a finals berth still within reach, the Pies will look to bounce back quickly and cause a monumental upset when they play the undefeated Wentworth at George Gordon Oval next weekend.
The Kangas play South Mildura in yet another integral fixture for their season at the Mildura Sporting Precinct while also looking for Irymple to beat Red Cliffs.
