A big finish from Maldon ensured they would move up to sixth position with an important five-goal win over Navarre at the Navarre Sports Complex.
The result almost certainly locks in a return to the finals for the Dons, while the Hoppers’ 10th straight loss means they are essentially knocked out of the race for finals.
The Hoppers were determined to get back on the winners’ list, however, and started strongly to score 14 goals to nine to take a five-goal lead at the first change. Mollie Simpson scored 13 goals and Sadie Reading one for Navarre, while for the Dons, Katelyn Cutlack scored six goals and Tayah Doyle three.
Maldon were back on track in the second term with co-coach Katie Tong on the court, and they scored 13 goals to nine to reduce the Navarre lead to one by the main break, 22-23. Cutlack scored 10 goals and Tong three for the Dons, while Simpson scored eight goals and Reading one for the Hoppers.
A tight third term saw neither team look to give in, and as a result, it was a goal-for-goal affair, with Maldon scoring 14 goals and Navarre scoring 13 to leave scores all level at 36 apiece at the final change. Cutlack scored 10 goals and Tong four for Maldon, while for Navarre, Simpson scored nine goals and Reading four.
However, when push came to shove, it was Maldon which ensured they would come to the party, scoring 13 goals to eight to take victory. Cutlack scored 11 more goals to make it 37 for the day, while Tong added two, while for Navarre, Simpson scored all eight of their goals to finish with 38 for the day.
The Dons now face an intriguing, finals-like matchup when they host Talbot, while Navarre will face Carisbrook away from home.