The Australian Institute of Sport has continued its unbeaten run in this year’s Australian Netball League, defeating close rivals the Canberra Darters 51-46 at the AIS on Friday.

The Darters trailed by just one goal at the final change and looked on track to produce one of the upsets of the season before a seven-goal run from the AIS to start the fourth quarter sealed the win.

Darters Captain Helen Barclay highlighted her sides final term fadeout as the major turning point in the match. 

“I’m pretty happy with the attack and the defence of the team but I think there was just a lapse of concentration at one point and we couldn’t really claw it back but it was a great game by the team,” Barclay said.

The AIS took a seven goal lead into the first break but could do little but watch on as the Darters steadily closed the gap during the second quarter, briefly taking the lead, before the AIS pulled away once more to head into half-time up 25-22.

Both sides picked up the pace in an entertaining third quarter that saw Darters goal shooter Josipa Pivac repeatedly get the better of AIS and Australian Netball Diamonds goal keeper Amy Steel.

Pivac’s strong work in front of goal saw the Darters draw level in the final stages of the quarter but that was as close as Canberra came with the AIS dominating the final term to take a 5 goal win.

AIS coach Simone McKinnis was particularly happy with the way her side held its composure throughout the match despite not having the perfect preparation.

“The positive thing is that we were really challenged throughout the match and we were still able to finish it, certainly the Darters didn’t allow us to play our best game out there and I don’t think we helped ourselves at times either”, McKinnis said.

“It was a good match today because the girls have been away and haven’t played for a few weeks so it was a good reminder about what it’s all about”.

The AIS will next take on the Queensland Fusion in what will be a top of the table clash after the Fusion secured its fifth straight win with a 60-49 victory over the NSW Blues.