Two of Goulburn Valley League netball's best traded blows on Saturday, but only one could escape with a confidence boosting win.
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At its home courts of Kings Park, Seymour came up with a thrilling two-goal win against Shepparton to not only keep hold of second place on the ladder, but remind the entire competition it is a force to be reckoned with as finals quickly approach.
The Bears got the jump and took an 11-8 lead to quarter-time, edging the even opening as both sides attacked with ferocity.
But the Lions fought back and had a two-goal lead at the half, winning the second term 12-7 as shooters Jess Lallo and Ellie O'Sullivan shot with laser-like accuracy, while defenders at the other end tightened the screws.
The rain could hold off no longer and the heavens opened in Seymour, meaning a high-quality match-up of two talented teams turned into an all-out war, and the Bears edged the third term to tie the scores up for a frenetic final stanza.
While the lead changed through the last, the Lions settled in the final minutes and wrestled a two-goal lead, able to hold on and win 34-32.
Nakita Singe, Elle McDonald and Meg Grbac were best for the Lions, while Morgan Gibson, Ella Sidebottom and Laura Ryan shone for the Bears.
The Bears remained sixth on the ladder with the loss, but remain within one game of fourth-ranked Shepparton Swans with two games to play.
Elsewhere, the Swans bounced back well from their recent loss to the Bears, taking care of Rochester by 23 goals.
The Tigers battled to stay with their classy opponent early, but were blown away in the second quarter 13-5, opening up a gap the Swans would never think about surrendering.
The Swans' defence highlighted a brilliant performance, allowing five, four and five goals in each of the last three quarters of the 44-21 win.
The Swans are fourth on the ladder and can cut the gap to third when they take on Echuca next weekend in a blockbuster match.
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