Netball: GWS Giants score vital victory over Melbourne Vixens

The Giants have risen to second spot on the Super Netball ladder after securing a vital 60-58 victory over Melbourne Vixens.

Played in a finals-like atmosphere at Hisense Arena, last season's grand finalists led 45-44 heading into the fourth quarter and answered every Vixens goal to close out the win.

With midcourters Serena Guthrie and Kim Green controlling the play, the Giants built a six-goal advantage at halftime but the home side clawed their way back courtesy of a 17-12 third quarter.

The Giants held on in the final minutes to claim seven competition points, moving two behind ladder leaders West Coast Fever with two rounds left to play.

"I'm pretty happy with that win and obviously points at this end of the season are so valuable," Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald said.

"I have so much respect for the Vixens side that to be able to come away with a win, I always feel it's very valuable."

The loss ends the Vixens' five-match winning streak and while they remain in third place on 56 points, the Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning are breathing down their necks on 55 points to set up a three-way battle for two semi-final spots.

"We just couldn't get that turnover ball in the last quarter that we needed," Vixens coach Simone McKinnis said.

"It was hard work for us in the first half but I thought we came out much stronger and better in the second half."

Goal attack Tegan Philip scored the opening two goals in her 100th game for the Vixens but turnovers proved costly as the Giants surged to a four-goal lead.

The Vixens threatened to claim the first bonus point with a late run of goals but the Giants steadied to win the opening quarter 17-15.

The home side hit the front briefly in the second quarter but the Giants outscored the Vixens 11-4 to close the half ahead 33-27.

After coming to the bench late in the first half, Philip re-entered the game in the third quarter and combined with Mwai Kumwenda to shoot a perfect 17 from 17 as the Vixens closed the margin to one goal ahead of a tense final term.