Pulse pip Mystics in battle of unbeaten teams
Two undefeated teams walked into Auckland Netball Centre last night, but only one could claim that honour as they headed for the showers.
The Central Pulse beat the Northern Mystics, 42-35, to keep their perfect record intact after the third round of the ANZ Premiership.
Winning is what the Central Pulse do. Well, it is what they do these days.
Fans who sat through nine seasons of trans-Tasman league action will remind you it hasn’t always been the case.
But from the start of the 2017 season to the first centre pass yesterday, they had won 38 of their last 51 matches, 28 of their last 34, made it to three grand finals, and won their first title, which they are currently seeking to defend.
They are the favourites to win a second at the end of August, but last night’s match was a boost for anyone
At a glance
ANZ Premiership, round 3 Central Pulse 42
(Aliyah Dunn 12/14, Ameliaranne Ekenasio 21/24, Tiana Metuarau 9/12)
(Grace Nweke 28/33, Asher Grapes 1/1, Saviour Tui 6/7)
10-8; 18-17;
Mystics 35
Q1: HT: Q3: Points (games played):
Northern
30-28
Pulse 12 (3), Mystics 12 (4), Tactix 8 (4), Stars 6 (4), Steel 5 (4), Magic 4 (3)
who fancies dethroning them, even though they got the W, as it showed they can be kept in check.
Seven matches into the new-look
post-Covid-19 season, which features
12-minute quarters, and for the first six weeks, a solitary venue in east Auckland, the Mystics had appeared to be the Pulse’s closest rivals and they certainly lived up to that expectation, but in the end the Pulse proved the better team.