Souths have one hand on the minor premiership after a dominant 70-34 win over Inner Glow in the penultimate round of Newcastle championship netball at National Park courts on Saturday.
Even if the Lions lose their final-round clash to seventh-placed Junction Stella next weekend, which is an unlikely proposition, they still look to have done enough to finish with the first piece of competition silverware.
The 36-goal win elevated the Lions to 33 points. They have a superior goal percentage difference to West Leagues Balance (31), who seized outright second position with a 54-46 victory over University of Newcastle (29) on Saturday and are the only team mathematically capable of finishing on level terms with the Lions.
West meet fourth-placed Nova Thunder (27) in the final round. Nova secured their semi-final berth with a 55-39 win over BNC Whanau (12) on Saturday. Two competition rounds have been abandoned after being washed out and round 10 will be played next weekend.
Inner Glow's top-four hopes were crushed by Lions, who had shot out to a 23-3 lead by the first break. Souths were up 39-11 at half-time then 55-24 heading into the final quarter.
The result left fifth-placed Inner Glow on 23 points, four adrift of the top four.
Lions coach Tracey van Dal credited overall team defence for the win.
"We worked really well defensively as a unit, which is what we have been working hard on at training, so it was nice to see that they had implemented that on court," van Dal said.
"We were also patient with the ball in attack. It was nice to get some momentum back and hopefully we keep building now leading into semis.
"It was a really important win. We needed to have a win, and a convincing win, one game out before semis."
Millie Tonkin was dominant at goal shooter with a high volume of shots and accuracy. Sister Lucy Tonkin also produced a solid performance at wing defence then goal keeper.
Zoe Peden played half a game in the midcourt. Her court-time this season had so far been limited to just two one-quarter appearances as she has been managing shin splints.
West trailed University 13-12 at the end of their first quarter but held a 26-21 lead at half-time then a 41-31 advantage at the final break.
West coach Tracey Baggs said the win was built on defensive pressure.
"It felt that we were probably in control for most of it, it just took a little while to kick into gear," Baggs said.
"Everybody just did their job and the defensive work across the court was probably what allowed us that score.
"We also played a little bit smarter in attack than what we have in a couple of games. We played a lot more settled and short as opposed to long, speculative stuff."
Nova were down 18-13 at the end of the first quarter but player-coach Katie Robinson said Thunder "didn't let it rattle us this time".
They turned a five-goal deficit into a two-goal advantage in the second period to be up 26-24 at half-time then were ahead 38-30 at three-quarter time.
Kotara South (21) were 63-32 winners over Junction Stella (15) in a tight affair. Kotara South led 19-17 at the first break before Junction were ahead 32-31 at half-time. Kotara South led 50-47 at three-quarter time.
Round 14 results:
Souths beat Inner Glow 70-34. Q1: Souths led 23-3; Q2: Souths led 39-11; Q3: Souths led 55-24.
West Leagues Balance beat University of Newcastle 54-46. Q1: University led 13-12; Q2: West led 26-21; Q3: West led 41-31.
Nova Thunder beat BNC Whanau 55-39. Q1: BNC led 18-13; Q2: Nova led 26-24; Q3: Nova led 38-30.
Kotara South beat Junction Stella 63-62. Q1: Kotara South led 19-17; Q2: Junction led 32-31; Q3: Kotara South led 50-47.
Points: Souths 33, West Leagues Balance 31, University of Newcastle 29, Nova Thunder 27, Inner Glow 23, Kotara South 21, Junction Stella 15, BNC Whanau 12.
