Nic Maddinson provided the late heroics in a tense Melbourne derby finish as the Stars gave their BBL finals hopes a boost and inflicted more pain on their cross-town rivals with a six-wicket win over the Renegades.
Marcus Stoinis and Nick Larkin both made 43 off 32 balls at the MCG on Sunday night in a slow-and-steady Stars innings that featured just five sixes.
It was left to Maddinson (20 not out) and Hilton Cartwright (12 not out) to drag the home side over the line, and they got there with five balls to spare.
Maddinson finished it with a six off Imad Wasim over long-on, after Cartwright's brave reverse sweep for four left them with four to win from the final over.
The win moved the Stars into third spot on the table, though they have played one more match than most of their rivals.
They also missed out on the bonus point, which could be crucial in the finals race given the congested nature of the table.
The Renegades opted to bat first and Sam Harper (63 off 52) anchored the innings.
But his wicket fell in a flurry of them as the Renegades lost 7-30 in five overs in a stunning collapse to be bowled out for 150 with one ball remaining.
Earlier, Aaron Finch's renewed aggression backfired spectacularly as he was bowled for a second-ball duck.
During the build-up, the Australia T20 and Renegades captain made no secret of his desire to shed a "timid" approach in his return to the top of the order.
But the new tactic didn't work as Finch edged Maxwell's first delivery of the innings and was bowled by the second when attempting to whack his Victoria teammate over cow corner.
Liam Hatcher (3-29) was the pick of the Stars bowlers on an eventful night when he dropped a simple catch to give Shaun Marsh a life and was involved in a heavy mid-wicket collision with Harper that left both men feeling worse for wear.
Both were able to continue and played out the match.
The defeat left the Renegades rooted to the foot of the table with three matches remaining.
The two Melbourne sides meet again at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night.
