The Central Pulse have repelled a late fightback from the Mainland Tactix to grab a 64-59 win in Christchurch and keep alive their trans-Tasman netball league play-off hopes.
In a match between the only two teams in the competition not to have played in the finals, the Pulse pulled away in the third quarter, leading by nine goals at one stage.
The Tactix then went on a five-goal run in the final quarter to edge to within two, but couldn't get any closer.
Pulse shooter Maia Wilson continued her excellent form, with the 18-year-old landing 50 of her 55 attempts for a 91 per cent success rate.
At the other end, Malawi international Mwai Kumwenda showed her accuracy, finishing with 43 from 45 (96 per cent).
The Pulse went into the match on Monday night with just one win this season, and that came in the first round.
They led by three after the opening quarter and at halftime before making their move, and they were helped by the number of penalties the Tactix were conceding.
The result creates a logjam in the battle for the third and last play-off spot in the New Zealand conference.
The unbeaten Southern Steel and the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic have already guaranteed they will end the regular season first and second respectively in the group.
With two rounds to go, the Northern Mystics, the Pulse and the Tactix are locked on five points each, with the Tactix and Mystics to meet on the last weekend.
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