Team Northumbria stayed cool under pressure to close out a sensational Sport Central win and move off the bottom of the Netball Superleague.
TeAroha Keenan’s side led 55-50 in the final five minutes of a nailbiting clash against Mavericks.
But the Hertfordhsire franchise went on a 5-0 tear to draw level with less than two minutes to play.
And it was down to nerveless England Under 21 star Chiara Semple to seal a 58-55 win by hitting the final three goals of the game.
TN have bagged 114 goals in their last two games after narrowly missing out on a big away win at Surrey Storm on Easter Monday.
And Saturday’s clash at Sirens offers a genuine opportunity for the in-form Tynesiders to close the gap on the NSL’s top six.
Keenan started with Georgia Rowe in attack but there was no place for fellow Welsh international Evie Brereton despite the latter’s strong show against Surrey.
And Vicky Burgess dressed at wing attack as TN looked to pile on the pressure from the start.
But Mavericks controlled the first quarter and opened up a 27-21 second period lead as the hosts initially struggled to replicate their Easter Monday form.
Keenan introduced Tamsin Moala for Rowe and the move to a smaller, swifter, more mobile attack immediately unsettled the visitors.
Rachel Bird provided fresh legs in centre court and the changes saw TN open up a 44-41 lead heading into the final quarter.
Mavericks trailed by as many as seven goals as Semple and Moala steered their side towards a second top flight win of the season.
But with victory in sight TN wobbled and the visitors sensed their opportunity with the scores locked at 55-55.
It was down to Semple to take control and the Kiwi sank the final three goals of the game to spark wild celebrations inside a buzzing Sport Central.
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