NSW Swifts have produced a record-smashing response to last week's grand final rematch loss with a 38-goal trans-Tasman netball competition home win over Central Pulse on Sunday.
Smarting from last Saturday's 10-goal away loss to the Queensland Firebirds, the Swifts won 79-41 in Sydney, notching their biggest score and largest winning margin.
Diamonds shooter Caitlin Thwaites tallied a career-best 50 goals and the Swifts shot 92 per cent, taking 35 more attempts.
NSW, who led by margins of 10, 20 and 34 at the three breaks, improved to 5-1 and Pulse dropped to 1-1-4.
The Swifts' relentless full-court defence, breathtakingly quick passing and accurate shooting was far too much for the outclassed Pulse.
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They forced 14 more turnovers and pulled off six more intercepts than the Pulse.
"I think it was important to make a statement," Swifts coach Rob Wright said.
"I think everyone across the court was disappointed with the effort (last week). Our performance wasn't what we were expecting, but credit to Firebirds.
"I think it was important to bounce back this week and probably got back to showing the sort of netball we're trying to play, week in week out."
Former Pulse player Thwaites missed just three attempts and benefited from outstanding service from midcourters Kimberlee Green and Paige Hadley.
Goalkeeper Sharni Layton pulled off six intercepts and wing defence and Silver Ferns stalwart Laura Langman shut down Pulse playmaker and former Diamonds star Chelsea Locke.
"I thought Laura was outstanding today, she did a terrific job on Chelsea," Wright said.
"Sharni was really disappointed with how she played last week so I always thought she'd come back hard this week. She did a job across the entire game."
Green fell to the court near the end of the game, but Wright said the midcourt veteran tweaked a foot and hadn't done any damage.
