Nic Maddinson provided the late heroics in a tense Melbourne derby finish as the Stars gave their BBL finals hopes a boost and inflicted more pain on their cross-town rivals with a six-wicket win over the Renegades.
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Marcus Stoinis and Nick Larkin both made 43 off 32 balls at the MCG on Sunday night in a slow-and-steady Stars innings that featured just five sixes.
It was left to Maddinson (20 not out) and Hilton Cartwright (12 not out) to drag the home side over the line - and they got there with five balls to spare.
Maddinson finished it with a six off Imad Wasim over long-on, after Cartwright's brave reverse sweep for four left them with four to win from the final over.
The win moved the Stars into third spot in the table, though they have played one more match than most of their rivals.
They also missed out on the bonus point, which could be crucial in the finals race given the congested nature of the table.
"It got a little bit tighter than I thought it would but I still had full faith in the boys," Stars seamer Liam Hatcher said, having done his job in claiming 3-29 from four overs to earn the man of the match award.
"We had two very good batsmen at the end there and they got us home with plenty of time to spare.
"It was a massive result (because) we always knew that we had our last five games in Melbourne, four here at the 'G, and we know we play well here.
"There was a lot of chat that we were struggling but we knew exactly where we were and that we could come home with a wet sail and give this competition a fair shake."
The Renegades opted to bat first and captain Aaron Finch's struggles continued as he was bowled for a second-ball duck.
Sam Harper (63 off 52) anchored the innings but he was out amid a flurry of wickets as the Renegades lost 7-30 in five overs in a stunning collapse to be bowled out for 150 with one ball remaining.
Hatcher was the pick of the Stars bowlers on an eventful night when he also dropped a simple catch to give Shaun Marsh a batting lifeline and was involved in a heavy mid-wicket collision with Harper that left both men feeling worse for wear.
Both were able to continue and played out the match.
The defeat left the Renegades rooted to the foot of the table.
"We've got three games left and we're probably not a realistic chance to play finals with the ladder position now," Harper said.
"You can say we've got a young side and a young batting line-up, but we came here to win and it's pretty disappointing to come close again."
The two Melbourne sides meet again at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night.
Big-hitting Stars opener Andre Fletcher is in some doubt for that match after he was hit on the wrist while batting.
Australian Associated Press
