Pride burst on to the court for an 18-10 opening term to launch a 15-goal victory against danger team VU Western Lightning at Melbourne's State Netball and Hockey Centre last night.

The final round win has kept Pride clear in second spot in Netball Victoria state league division one and eyeing a first-round play-off against league powerhouse DC Force.

Ballarat vice-captain Melissa Beaston said Pride was glad to take some winning momentum into next week's gruelling test.

"One of our team goals was to focus on being strong and direct to the ball, letting the ball go confidently, and we did that from the start," Beaston said.

"It was a great team effort all the way down the court.

"We had a tight defence with hands to the ball.

"Libby Purtell and Emma (Farrell) made some great intercepts in attack and really kept the pressure on."

Pride stuck to its controlled game plan against a young Lightning outfit which was, as predicted, completely unpredictable.

A one-on-one Pride cross-court defence rattled Lightning, which began to play with a wild desperation.

Beaston labelled Lightning's style as "scrappy", with swings in form.

Lightning matched Pride in goals through the second and third quarters before Pride moved into overdrive and proved why it was a finals contender.

Pride captain Emma Farrell was in stellar form at goal attack with an impressive 94 per cent scoring accuracy.

Farrell also worked relentlessly outside the ring to add extra bite in Pride's attack.

Beaston was a strong driving force through the centre and was fierce in attack.

The mood on the Pride bus home was buoyant but Beaston said there was still plenty of things to iron out at training this week.

Pride has cleared the first hurdle, now it must fight hard to close out the premiership race.