A thrilling draw between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the Central Pulse provided a fitting climax to Friday's opening night of the pre-season Trans-Tasman summer shootout at Sydney's new Netball Central.
After the Melbourne Vixens, West Coast Fever, NSW Swifts and Queensland Firebirds won the first four matches played at the new facility at Sydney Olympic Park, the Pulse scored two goals in the last 30 seconds of their match for a 42-42 deadlock seconds before the final whistle.
Reigning premiers the Vixens looked a bit rusty in the opening quarter against the Magic. But they were quick to rediscover the form that took them to last year's title by running out 45-33 winners in the first game.
The Swifts also had to work hard for their 58-47 win over the Northern Mystics, who led by two goals at halftime, but the hosts took control in the third term with Sharni Layton making her presence felt in defence.
The Firebirds opened their campaign with a 58-44 victory over the Tactix, while the Fever gave Stacey Rosman a winning start to her coaching career with a 54-51 victory over the Southern Steel.
Netball Central has been given a rousing thumbs up after the opening session as a soldout crowd filled the state-of-the art venue to watch the world's best netballers take to the court for the first time in 2015.
Netball Central was officially opened earlier on Friday by NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres, Netball NSW President Wendy Archer and CEO Carolyn Campbell.
Session two on Saturday morning begins at 9am (AEDT) and the afternoon session starts at 2.30pm.
All games on Saturday will be modified to 15-minute halves.
