Hawks Netball has tightened its grip on top spot in the Victorian Netball League’s Championship division, downing second-placed DC North East Blaze by two goals in a Round 12 thriller.

With Blaze the only team to have beaten Hawks this season, way back in Round 3, there was extra feeling in the contest from the outset. But the Hawks were unstoppable early, netting 21 goals to 13 in the first quarter to establish a handy eight-goal lead.

The margin became 10 goals early in the second quarter, but Blaze showed why they were the 2017 premiers by slowly clawing their way back to trail 33-30 at the main break.

The third quarter belonged to Blaze as they dried up the supply to Hawks goalers Nat Billings and Kim Commane, conceding just 11 goals for the quarter while scoring 17 of their own to grab a 44-47 lead.

Read: Brave VFLW Hawks defeat Tigers

But the Hawks knuckled down in the final quarter, whittling away Blaze’s advantage and then matching them goal for goal, with neither team prepared to yield.

Both teams shot at a perfect 100% in the last 15 minutes, but with the Hawks’ defence end holding Blaze to just 12 attempts, and Lil O’Sullivan and Monique Tarrant giving Commane and Tayla Shannon 17 shots at the other, it was enough for the Hawks to prevail 61-59.

With six rounds to play, the Hawks remain two wins clear at the top of the Championship division, and will take on the bottom-placed Selkirk Sovereigns in Round 13.