Ajax made a statement and Varsity got one back at Dunedin women's club basketball on Tuesday night.
A strong first half enabled Ajax to blitz the second-placed South Pacific Magic 74-38, claiming its third win in a row against its closest rival.
Natalie Smith led the way with 23 points and Danielle Frost had 19, as Ajax proved far too good.
It was defensively that it made its statement though, holding the Magic to six points and five points in the first and second quarters respectively.
That allowed it to lead 32-11 at halftime and, while the Magic put up a better showing in the second half, the deficit was far too much.
It was a depleted Magic side that took the court once again, notably missing guard Soraya Umaga-Jensen.
Natalie Visger was its top scorer with nine, while Sophie Johns chipped in with eight.
The win means Ajax remains unbeaten on the court this season - its only losses have come via two defaults.
With just one game remaining before playoffs, it will go in as the overwhelming favourite to reclaim the title it lost to the Magic last year.
In the other game, Varsity's press proved decisive as it toppled the Andy Bay Falcons 70-62.
It forced the Falcons into turnovers and opened up the gap in the middle two quarters.
The Falcons took an 18-17 lead to the first break, before being held to 10 second-quarter points.
That meant it trailed 36-28 at halftime. Bronwyn Kjestrup scored nine second-quarter points to help Varsity take the lead.
Varsity extended that lead in the third quarter, winning the period 26-13, before the Falcons fought back to win the fourth 21-16.
Kjestrup went on to top-score for Varsity, managing 16 points, while Rosie Davison had 15.
Zoe Richards continued her dominance for the Falcons, piling on 31 points, while Brittany Richards poured in five three-pointers on the way to 17 points.
