Pulse get their tactics right in decisive victory
The Mainland Tactix displayed promising form last week, but nothing they did last night in Christchurch was enough to take down the leaders in netball’s ANZ Premiership.
The Tactix were decisively beaten by the Central Pulse 47-36 at Horncastle Arena.
The Tactix claimed their fifth win of the season against the Mystics last week — equalling their club record season winning tally — while the Pulse suffered their second defeat of the season after being unable to find their rhythm against a powerful Southern Steel side. But the Pulse’s ability to bounce back was felt hard and fast by the Tactix as the Wellington side displayed confidence and resilience last night. Pulse 47 Tactix 36
It was a battle of the defenders in the opening quarter of the round 10 clash as both sides played to the advantage of their strong defence units.
Tenacious Tactix defenders Temalisi Fakahokotau and Jane Watson, who remain the No 1 defensive pair in the league, were quick to apply the pressure on Pulse shooters Aliyah Dunn and Tiana Metuarau.
Gaining considerable momentum in the second quarter, the Pulse went from strength to strength as midcourter Whitney Souness found good connection with her shooters from the circle edge.
Pulse captain Katrina Grant was in sublime form alongside Sulu Fitzpatrick as the pair caused early problems for Tactix shooter Ellie Bird.
Pulling out all their tricks, such as the iconic “Harrison Hoist”, the defending duo led their side to a seven-goal halftime lead.
As the scoreline widened, Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek made changes to her attacking lineup, calling Australian import shooter Kate Beveridge on at goal shoot while moving Brooke Leaver to wing attack.
As the new combinations settled, wavering shooting form from Bird at the start of the third quarter saw the Pulse’s advantage briefly extend and then get gobbled up.
But a sudden change in pace saw the home side rapidly claw back lost ground to level the scores.
Desperate to hold on to their advantage, the Pulse were forced to fight for possession against an ignited Tactix side leaving only a few goals to separate the teams in the final stanza.
The Tactix remained hot on the heels of the Pulse with a lift from their defence line providing plenty of opportunities. But although the Tactix showcased potential to topple the ANZ Premiership leaders, it wasn’t enough as the Pulse again stretched their lead.
The Pulse continue to lead the pack on the ladder with 20 points, while the Tactix will remain third behind the Southern Steel.
With just four days to rest, the Pulse will tip off round 11 on Sunday afternoon when they face the Northern Stars at Pulman Arena at Takanini in South Auckland. Queensland sent retiring league legend Billy Slater out a winner and denied New South Wales a State of Origin series clean sweep with a gutsy come-from-behind game three win in Brisbane last night.
The Maroons had only pride to play for but were able to rally from 12-8 down at halftime to claim a morale-boosting three-tries-to-two victory in front of 51,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.
Queensland dominated the firsthalf and led 8-0 after right wing Valentine Holmes ran in their first try before New South Wales stormed back with two tries in the last three minutes of the first half to right wing Tom Trbojevic and fullback James Tedesco helping them steal a fourpoint halftime lead.
The home side hit back 10 minutes into the second half with Holmes collecting his second four-pointer to level the scores before halfback Daly Cherry-Evans celebrated his return from three-years in representative exile with their third try giving them a six-point lead inside the final quarter. Cameron Munster danced around tired Blues forward David Klemmer to set-up Cherry-Evans for the try that put the Maroons back in front.
The result saw Queensland bounce back after losing the opening two games in Melbourne and Sydney and give them hope for the future as they look to rebuild following the retirements of Slater, former captain Cameron Smith, halfback Cooper Cronk and five-eighth Johnathan Thurston.
The victory provided Slater with a happy ending in his first outing as Queensland captain in his 31st and final Origin appearance since his debut in 2004, with the 35-year-old fullback turning in a typically inspirational performance which earned him the man of the match award.
Holmes took an iconic intercept at full stretch to deny the Blues a certain try in the 77th minute.
James Maloney’s floater appeared certain to allow Latrell Mitchell to score the match-leveller, only for Holmes to make a diving catch at full stretch.
With Holmes stopping the Blues’ best late chance to score, Queensland only had to defend one more set before the siren sounded on an incredible Origin series.
The Maroons went on to hold on for a memorable 18-12 victory.
(Valentine Holmes 2, Daly Cherry-Evans tries, Holmes 2 cons, 1 pens)
(Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco tries, Nathan Cleary 2 cons).
Queensland 18 New South Wales 12