Netball: Central Pulse seal draw after clawing way back

Katrina Grant. Photo / Alan Gibson

Appropriately for the special day of history shared between Australia and New Zealand, the Pulse and Swifts drew 47-47 in Wellington yesterday.

The Pulse appeared to blow their chances in the final quarter. Shooting wobbles and other errors handed the Swifts a five-goal lead with four minutes left but the Pulse replied with an unanswered five-goal burst. It was the Swifts' third draw this season.

Both teams sit third in their respective conferences but could be overtaken by the end of the ninth round.

Goal attack Jodi Brown and captain Katrina Grant stood out for the Pulse. Brown shot at 84 per cent (21 from 25) while team-mate Ameliaranne Wells delivered 79 per cent (26 from 33). Swifts shooters Susan Pettitt and Caitlin Thwaites showed synergy with percentages of 85 and 86 per cent respectively.

The physicality ensured a mounting penalty count against both sides, but neither looked like backing off.

The Swifts nailed the first two goals of the match before the reach of goalkeeper Te Huinga Reo-Selby Rickit and tenacity of wing defence Joline Henry gleaned some turnovers. The visitors held a 13-12 first quarter lead.

A couple of late Pulse errors gave the Swifts a 25-23 half-time advantage. The lead changed several times in a scramble during the third quarter as the Pulse edged ahead 37-35.

Micaela Wilson, with just two quarters this campaign for the Swifts, replaced goal defence Julie Corletto in a precautionary measure in the second half.

The round of Anzac match-ups continue today with the Fever hosting the Magic, the Vixens hosting the Tactix and the Mystics hosting the Firebirds.