Stung by last week's upset loss to the Mystics, the Northern Stars have rebounded with a hard-fought 55-53 national netball premiership win over the Central Pulse in Auckland.
Pulse midcourter Whitney Souness. Photo: Photosport
The win means the Stars maintain their position at the top of the table, with two losses from nine games.
The Pulse - who have only three wins - have the consolation of a bonus point which bumps them up into fourth place, ahead of the Tactix on goal difference
In an up-and-down game, the Stars snatched the win with a strong finish, taking the final quarter 14-9 after trailing 41-44 at the three-quarter mark.
Maia Wilson shouldered the bulk of the shooting load, nailing 37 from 45, while goal attack Jamie Hume backed up with a solid 18 from 21.
For the defending champions Pulse, Aliyah Dunn was her usual steady self at goal shoot with 39 from 46, while Te Amo Amaru-Tibble - who missed last week's upset loss to the Tactix through illness - was her usual unflappable self in sinking 14 from 17.