A near-perfect first quarter was enough for West Coast Fever to extend their winning streak to four games with an unconvincing 12-goal victory against Melbourne Mavericks.

Fever led by a whopping 13 goals at quarter time as they feasted on the Mavericks’ poor skill errors and misdirected feeds.

However, West Coast seemingly stopped, losing the next two quarters to open the door for a potential incredible comeback from the Mavericks, before holding on for a tight 59-47 victory at John Cain Arena on Sunday.

Fever coach Dan Ryan said he was pleased to get the victory even if it wasn’t pretty.

“Our first 15 minutes was brilliant and the way we finished off the game under some huge pressure was a really good step forward for us,” he said.

“It was a battle. Every drive and catch was contested, everything was pressurised and even when the score was out at double digits it never felt like that.

“It was a great, gritty game to find a way to win, and I’m really pleased with the start to put ourselves in a better position than potentially being close the whole way through it.”

Fever goal defender Fran Williams produced arguably the best game of her time in the green dress with 11 gains, five deflections and five intercepts, proving too big an obstacle for Mavericks’ ball movement to overcome.

“That was one of the best game’s that she’s had this year,” Ryan said.

“She’s been very good in that goal defence position in all parts of our season so far, but I thought her impact early and impact late was significant for us.

“She was a key contributor to our first quarter dominance and she was a key contributor in some really crucial gains in that last quarter as well.

“Fran’s a winner and I think she’s getting better and better. She led really well from the back and her work-rate on attack was critical for us.”

West Coast lost star wing attack Alice Teague-Neeld before the first pass, with the Diamond succumbing to a back injury and replaced in the side by Verity Simmons.

It didn’t stop the visitors from dominating early, holding the Mavericks to their lowest-ever first-quarter score of only seven goals to lead by 13 goals after the first 15 minutes.

Mavericks’ ability to score from their centre passes was atrocious early, going at only 31 per cent conversion while Fever scored five goals from turnovers in the first term alone.

The home side managed to work their way into the contest on the back of two super goals from Uneeq Palavi (12 goals, two super goals) just before half-time.

It gave the Mavericks some confidence to start the second half and their ball movement improved as a result.

Fever then began to struggle to move the ball across the court and their defence began to feel the pressure as Melbourne got within eight goals at the last break.

Mavericks’ goalkeeper Jessie Grenvold’s physicality troubled and frustrated Fever shooter Romelda Aiken-George (50 goals), who looked well off her best she’s shown in the past few weeks.

Grenvold was excellent after half-time and finished with 11 deflections and five gains to nearly lead the Mavericks to an upset.

Fever’s woeful last quarter record this season of 1-4 meant they were not in as comfortable position as they would’ve liked.

Melbourne used this as motivation to drive towards a comeback, with Palavi coming off the bench as they tried to execute a plan of winning through super goals.

Feverheld their nerve under the pressure though, showing maturity late in the match with their ball control to ensure they would hold on for victory.