West Coast Fever racked up their seventh win of the trans-Tasman netball league with a 51-48 victory over Central Pulse in Wellington.
The Pulse, fourth in the New Zealand conference, had only two wins from six starts going into Sunday's match while the Fever were unbeaten with their closest result a fourth round 59-59 draw with NSW Swifts.
Although they were pushed early on, the Fever's pace and accuracy in the attacking third proved too much for Pulse across the two middle quarters.
The New Zealanders have struggled for consistency over 60 minutes all season, and while their defensive third has been solid, their work on transition has been patchy and the front court has veered between the sublime and the ridiculous.
In her 100th trans-Tasman netball league game, Pulse coach Robyn Broughton opted to run with her Silver Ferns shooting combination of Ameliaranne Wells and Jodi Brown.
The mobile pair worked the circle well, Brown creating room on the baseline and Wells offering plenty of variety for her midcourters' feed into the circle.
The Pulse took a 12-10 lead into the first break, looking more positive with their movement off the ball.
But the Fever bounced back to take the second quarter 13-11 and level the scores 23-23 at halftime.
Khao Watts and Shae Brown were masterful in controlling the tempo on attack while a strong through-court defensive effort slowed the Pulse's drive to the circle edge.
The Fever continued to edge ahead in the third quarter, winning the spell 13-10 to lead 36-33 with 15 minutes remaining.
Central Pulse dug in through the final quarter but couldn't shake the Australians, with honours shared 15-15 over the last 15 minutes.
Diamonds goal shoot Caitlin Bassett was outstanding in missing only four shots from 45 for 91 per cent accuracy, while goal attack Natalie Medhurst sunk 10 from 13.
For the Pulse, Brown converted 31 from 37 and although Wells missed nine of her 26 attempts, she showed enough to suggest her start ahead of former Silver Ferns veteran Irene van Dyk was merited.
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