While the Netball Superleague play-offs are well out of reach, Saracens Mavericks have their eyes firmly fixed on fifth - with victory away to Severn Stars showing they are on the right trajectory.
The two sides had met on the opening day of the 2023 season with the Worcester-based side taking the honours.
However, the Mavericks were able to turn the tables on the road, securing a 54-50 win and moving sixth in the standings, level on points with their hosts and with a game in hand.
Wing attack, Georgia Lees, believes they are now in a good position to finish the campaign strongly.
She said: "The progress we’ve made in a short amount of time together has been huge.
"There’s still a lot of work to do, but given that we’re a new group of players, especially in attack, there’s been a lot of development, which has been great.
"As the bonds keep getting stronger, it’s only going to have a positive impact on the court.
"We’re not there consistently yet, but we’re seeing lots of positives for longer in matches than we did at the start of the season."
The victory over the Stars was built, as the previous success over Strathclyde Sirens had been, on a very solid defence, led by Razia Quashie and Monique Meyer.
It began though with Britney Clarke in irresistible form at the other end, with the help of Kira Rothwell, and the Mavs raced into a five-goal lead inside the first quarter.
Putting together a full 60-minute performance this season has always been the goal but Stars started the second period with their tails up, reducing the lead to just two.
Two huge interceptions by Quashie put the brakes on that slightly
With Mavs looking like they needed a hero, Quashie stepped up, with two huge interceptions to keep Stars at bay.
They turned round at the half-time interval leading 30-26 but Stars refused to buckle and admit defeat, even after the introduction of Sasha Corbin for the Hatfield side.
They won the third quarter 13-11 to move into the final 15 minutes just two points behind their visitors.
But any doubts or panic in the Mavs ranks were quickly swept aside as Clarke get her radar working, stretching the lead to seven.
That rose to nine as the Mavericks defence got meaner and meaner and the expected late flurry from the home side only came after the gap had risen to a game-high nine, Clarke converting one after a cheeky off-the-post feed by Rothwell.
It was still a nervy end but Saracens saw the game out and will now turn to their remaining three matches, the first of which is the last home game at the Hertfordshire Sports Village.
That comes on Monday when Team Bath are the visitors and they then finish the season off away to Manchester Thunder and London Pulse.
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