NIGHTCLIFF stamped its premier league premiership credentials at Marrara last night with a 38-28 win over ladder leaders Tracy Village.

It was the Tigers’ fourth straight victory in the five team league, with a top two finish now realistic — a remarkable feat considering Tanya Wines’ side lost six of its first nine.

Nightcliff completely outplayed Falcons in the first term, conceding only four goals while netting 11 to set the match up.

Katie Elmer was strong in defence, while attacking pair Alicia Hill and Johanna Hampton combined well and shot accurately.

Falcons won the second quarter to get back within seven goals as they found flow and rhythm.

Tina Way led Tracy’s charge from goal defence, with a number of key intercepts giving her side the momentum.

Gemma Coburn and Gemma Henderson were solid in centre court alongside goal attack Stefanie Greve, who tried hard.

But Falcons couldn’t maintain their ascendancy in the third period as Nightcliff proved itself as the form team of Darwin’s top netball competition.

Centre Adrianne Furlan was a ball of energy and combined well with both ends, but it was a true team performance from the black and golds.

The Tigers took a 30-18 lead into the final change, which proved a task too difficult for the 2017 runners-up to overcome.

With four rounds to play, the Tigers face every team once more before finals, where a second bite at the cherry will be crucial in a league that is the tightest in recent memory.