BNC (1) are eyeing off the Newcastle open netball championship minor premiership after beating Lakeside Village Tavern 42-35 at National Park on Saturday.
On the surface such an achievement looks impossible because they are four points adrift of competition leaders Junction Hotel (1) with one round remaining and only two points on offer for a win.
But the 2006 premiers lost two points earlier in the season for an umpiring indiscretion that they successfully challenged and will recover this Saturday when their umpiring duties are fulfilled.
They also go head-to-head with Junction Hotel on Saturday. If they win there is the chance of a three-way tie for first place, leaving the minor title to be decided on for-and-against percentages.
Defending champions Nags Head Hotel are second and play winless Bilbie Dan in Saturday's last round which will put them in the mix if BNC beat Junction Hotel.
BNC captain Cherie Puru said Saturday's win over Lakeside was crucial and praised the performances of Zara Francisco, Amie Ryan and Natarlia Manning.
Junction Hotel defeated Hotel Premier 39-33 to knock them out of the finals race, Nags Head beat Junction Hotel (2) 48-41 and BNC (2) downed Bilbie Dan 47-44.
Pointscore: Junction Hotel (1) 26, Nags Head 24, Lakeside Village Tavern, BNC (1) 22, Hotel Premier 19, Junction Hotel (2) 18, BNC (2) 9, Bilbie Dan 6.