The Pulse are six from six in the ANZ Premiership. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The Central Pulse remain undefeated in the ANZ Netball Premiership, holding off a spirited Stars side 56-51 in Wellington.
Meanwhile, the Stars' miserable start to the season continues, suffering their sixth loss in a row.
Without three regular starters in Tiana Metuarau, Maddy Gordon and Silver Ferns shooter Amelia Walmsley, Pulse debutant Martina Salmon stood up to sink 41 goals from 45 attempts.
Pulse co-captain Kelly Jackson told Sky Sport it was a huge result considering the personnel they were missing.
"I breathed a sigh of relief at the final whistle went, the Starts really turned on their defensive end in that final quarter, but so proud, Martina on her debut and man she just shot the lights out."
She said Salmon had seamlessly slotted into the squad as the hosts shot at 88 percent.
"It's a bonus that she is a doppelganger of Meels (Walmsley), the way she plays."
Jackson said there was strong confidence building within the Pulse in 2024.
"We just have so much belief and trust in each other."
Stars skipper Maia Wilson said it was another frustrating result.
"We have the comeback strategy but we are not able to stick into it, the consistent messages are not necessarily coming through."
Wilson said the Pulse showed great grit and grind to get the win.
"This was a massive opportunity for us and we were not able to take it, so a bit disappointing. This is our sixth on the trot, I don't know what needs to change but consistency is definitely key for us."
From the opening whistles the Pulse looked in control, despite a late push from the Stars. They were led by two of their most experienced heads in wing attack Whitney Souness, who was in commanding form to assist an inexperienced shooting circle, and captain Kelly Jackson.
Khanyé-Lii Munro-Nonoa was sent to the sideline early after making contact with Claire Kersten, who was called for a concussion test as a result.
In her first game for the Pulse, shooter Martina Salmon found her radar as her side went on a four-goal streak to end a tight first quarter up 18-14.
The Pulse soon pulled away in the second as Kersten made her way back on court.
Amassing a 10-goal advantage, the Stars managed to whittle it down to 34-27 at halftime.
The Stars made some positional changes heading into the second spell with Rahni Samason moving to shooter and Wilson to goal attack while Lili Tokaduadua came on to goal keep.
With just eight goals between them, the Stars were always within reach of the hosts with defender Kate Burley (five gains) doing her best to keep her team in the race.
They continued to stay in touch and brought it to within five with three minutes remaining, but the damage had been done.
As the Pulse remain perfect, the Stars have yet to taste victory in 2024.
Shooting stats
Pulse:
Martina Salmon 41/45 (91 percent)
Khiarna Williams 11/12 (92 percent)
Kiana Pelasio 6/9 (67 percent)
Stars:
Maia Wilson 35/40 (88 percent)
Monica Falkner 14/18 (78 percent)
Rahni Samason 3/6 (50 percent)