Melbourne Vixens have powered to the top of the Super Netball standings, producing another devastating final-quarter effort to blast past the previously unbeaten Adelaide Thunderbirds 56-50 at John Cain Arena.
The Thunderbirds were ahead for most of Saturday night's game from the middle of the first quarter to halfway through the last, but not by more than four goals.
Neither side had lost a final term this season, but the Vixens piled on 16 goals to eight, including a 10-1 run which at one stage pushed them out to a nine-goal advantage.
"They've always come home with a wet sail," Vixens coach Di Homey told Fox Sports and Kayo.
"They seem to be able to outrun and enjoy it, so really pleased with the changes I made, they were absolutely seamless."
Both coaches made a number of changes in the second half, but it was those made by Honey that proved most decisive.
Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst went for two tall shooters while Honey went smaller in defence, and the efforts of Jo Weston and Kate Eddy In the closing minutes were vital.
Melbourne stretched their winning run to nine, including the three finals victories from last season.
Honey set a record for a new coach of six straight wins since taking over from title-winner Simone McKinnis.
"Simone gave me a fantastic team and I learnt lots from McKinnis, I'm really lucky that it has been seamless," Honey said.
Both teams were held to their lowest scores of the season in a tight battle worthy of two top teams.
Adelaide were ahead by three at quarter-time, but Kiera Austin (26/29), playing her 100th Super Netball match, made all four of her Super Shots, including the last score of the second period to get the Vixens within two at halftime.
The margin remained the same heading into the final term.
Sophie Garbin (25/30) ensured the Thunderbirds' much lauded defence had to work hard on both Vixens shooters, though Shamera Sterling-Humphrey racked up four intercepts, four deflections and eight gains.
For Adelaide, Elmere van der Berg (43/50) did the bulk of the scoring.
"We made some basic skill errors, they were very good in their defence in blocking us in where we wanted to go," Obst said about the final quarter.
"I don't know that we had too many free options to the ball and then they were very clinical when they did win ball and off their centre pass."
