Photo: Photosport
The Central Pulse have opened their ANZ Premiership title defence with a thrilling 53-52 win over Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Palmerston North.
The home side held their nerve after letting a nine-goal lead early in the second half slip as the Magic fought back to set up a gripping finale.
Any concerns the defending champions would struggle to perform without prolific scorer Aliyah Dunn, who has moved to the Tactix, were somewhat allayed with goal shoot Amelia Walmsley stepping up in what was just her 10th Premiership appearance.
The teenager earned an MVP performance having landed all but three of her 39 attempts at goal and teaming up well with goal attack Tiana Metuarau.
The Pulse's 16th-straight win over the Magic became a grind in the second half as the the visitors, buoyed by the presence of Bailey Mes at goal attack and experience through the middle of former Pulse centre Claire Kersten, switched gear to put themselves back in contention in a tense tussle in the dying minutes.
It took some dogged defence and special ball delivery from both Maddy Gordon and Whitney Souness on attack to set the Pulse up for the win.
There were no surprises in the Magic's first line of the new season with the established front end of Mes and Ameliaranne Ekenasio in the shooting circle, and Simmon Wilbore and Kersten on attack
New recruit Charlotte Elley took the wing defence big with experienced defenders Georgia Takarangi and Erena Mikaere in the circle.
Souness showed early vision and was not afraid to send the long ball into Walmsley - the young shooter showing the confidence to demand the ball over Mikaere and landing all 10 of her first quarter attempts to help the Pulse to a 15-12 lead at the break.
Neither side made any changes heading into the second quarter, but it was the Pulse who made the stronger start to the spell, showcasing their lightning speed on transition from defence onto attack and Walmsley only building in confidence in the shooting circle as the hosts edged ahead by six.
The Magic were stagnant on attack at times with Gordon and Fa'amu Ioane providing a relentless defensive pressure outside of the circle for the Pulse while Manu'a kept Ekenasio relatively quiet.
At the other end of the court, Georgia Takarangi worked hard on defence, showing her aerial skill with six deflections in the first half but the Magic still trailed 25-30 at the main break.
With a nine-goal advantage, the Pulse threatened to put the result beyond doubt in the third quarter, but the Magic responded to the challenge ahead forcing the hosts into errors and cutting the lead to 42-38 heading into the final term.
- RNZ