Pulse too strong for slow-starting Magic
Off the back of a stunning start to the ANZ Premiership season, the Central Pulse defeated the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in a tightly contested clash at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre last night.
It was far from an easy win for the Wellington-based side who struggled to find their usual rhythm and often played into the hands of the muchimproved Magic.
Pulse captain Katrina Rore (nee Grant) admitted the match-up was tough for her young squad but was pleased with their overall performance.
“Very defensive game, very backand-forward. Both teams made each other work really hard and both really wanted the win,” Rore said.
“No matter what, it was always going to be tough for them down there but they stood up strong.
“We’re very confident — if we weren’t confident, then we wouldn’t do it, we wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be playing for each other.
“That’s the Pulse motto, we’re here for each other, we’ve got each other’s backs and then we can keep trucking through the season.”
It started as a horror opening quarter for the hosts, who took five minutes to score their first goal.
The Pulse looked in charge but silly errors from the visitors handed the Magic an opportunity to bounce back and enter halftime just three goals behind.
Up against a formidable Magic defence unit comprising veteran captain Casey Kopua and Silver Ferns defender Kelly Jury, young Pulse shooter Aliyah Dunn had to work hard under the hoop.
Finishing with a solid 96 per cent accuracy, though, the 18-year-old led from the front, while teammate Ameliaranne Ekenasio netted just 18 from 26.
The tussle continued through the second half as both sides battled
relentlessly. Rore and fierce goal keep Sulu Fitzpatrick continued to slow the Magic’s rhythm, while Kopua led her side by snatching vital intercepts in the centre third.
But even as the passionate Magic home crowd roared their team along, the Pulse held their nerve to soar with the biggest lead of the clash and secure their second win of the season.
The Pulse play the Mainland Tactix in Palmerston North on Sunday, while the Magic face defending champions the Southern Steel on Monday.