Central Pulse kept their trans-Tasman netball league playoff hopes alive with an emphatic 54-44 win over second-placed Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in Wellington on Monday.
The Pulse are the only team to have beaten the Magic this season, backing up their sixth round 56-53 win last month with a satisfyingly decisive victory at Te Rauparaha Arena.
With only four rounds of the regular season left, the Pulse sit just outside the top four, placed fifth on 10 points, two points astray of the fourth-placed Swifts.
Looking half a pace behind for much of the first quarter, and trailing 15-13 at the first break, the Pulse lifted over the second stanza to string together an eight-goal run and lead 27-24 at halftime.
Magic defenders Casey Kopua and Leana de Bruin, who had done so much to shut down the circle early on, were unable to rein in Pulse shooters Irene van Dyk and Donna Wilkins.
Wilkins in particular stepped up, taking on a playmaker's role in marshalling the Pulse attack while van Dyk eased back into the circle, posting up and providing a real target at the back for her feeders.
A smothering midcourt defensive effort provided plenty of turnovers for the Pulse, skipper Katrina Grant combining well with Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit at the back in pouncing on any loose ball.
Magic shooters Jo Harten and Ellen Halpenny were starved of ball, and although their accuracy didn't suffer, they just weren't receiving the volume they needed.
In contrast, van Dyk and Wilkins reaped the benefit from their hardworking midcourt.
Millie Lees and Elias Shadrock kept their drive to the circle edge strong, but were also willing to work the ball around to create space for the final feed.
The Pulse won the third quarter 15-10, restricting the Magic to just 11 shots on goal while putting up 18 at the other end.
Magic coach Julie Fitzgerald went to her bench at three-quarter time, bringing on 19-year-old Malia Paseka at goal shoot and shifting Harten out to goal attack while Bessie Manu replaced Jamie-Lee Price at wing defence.
Pulse coach Robyn Broughton also tweaked her team in bringing on mercurial former Silver Fern Liana Leota at wing attack, the Pulse controlling the closing quarter for a comprehensive win.
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