ALL netball fans were hoping for a thriller when the Ovens and King's two top teams met on Saturday, but few would have tipped the eventual outcome.
Milawa and Greta entered the round 11 clash as the league's only undefeated sides, and both emerged with their records intact after a nail biting 44-44 draw.
There was little separating the sides all day, and nothing between them at the end.
The Demons opened up a three goal lead at the long break, only for the Blues nose in front during the third term.
The dying minutes went goal-for-goal, and it was Milawa captain Jami Hunt who nailed a clutch shot with seconds remaining to ensure the points would be split.
Milawa coach Nat Semmens said the result was the only fair outcome after both sides gave their all.
"It was just a fantastic match," Semmens said.
"It didn't get rough or nasty the whole match was very clean and friendly.
"It was so close at the end and the pressure was intense.
"There was a lot of support for both sides coming from the crowd, and they were letting us know that there wasn't much time left.
"We definitely came off feeling as if we hadn't played our best, and there were things we could have done that might have made a difference, but Greta would have been exactly the same.
"The pressure was on both sides for the whole game."
Semmens paid credit to both side's defenders, and said Milawa's shooters had been forced to work for every goal.
"Our defenders Jackie Gardner and Lauren Conroy were unbelievable," she said.
"Jackie was best on court I thought she played one of her best games for the season.
"Lauren has been at uni, but she has done the full training over the past couple of weeks and that's helped her get more confident in her game.
"Jami (Hunt) played a really good game on Amanda Coote as well.
"But credit to Greta Amanda and Rebecca (Duryea) did a great job stopping us from getting the close shots we're comfortable with.
"Every time we missed a shot they would run the ball straight up the court."
MEANWHILE, Goorambat continued to press for a spot in the top four, defeating King Valley 42-30.
Amelia Gall, Allison Ellis and Kyle Button led the way for the Bats, while Amber Vincent, Jayde Cooper and Catherine Sartori were the Roos' best players.
Bonnie Doon bounced back into form with a 25-goal win over North Wangaratta.
The Doon Dogs forced their way back into the top eight on the back of some superb play from goal keeper Emily Hutchins, centre Chantal Lindsey, and shooter Meaghan Tanner, winning 48-23.
Benalla won a close one at home against Glenrowan, getting over the line 41-40.
The Panthers were three goals down at the final change, but proved too strong in the last quarter, with Michaela Allen, Vee DeFazio and Cristen Brunner the stars.
In other matches, Bright downed Tatong by 25 goals, while Tarrawingee was too good for Swanpool, winning 58-39.
BY - SCOTT ANDERSON.
Last Modified on 07/07/2011 21:22