Netball: Central Pulse stay perfect in ANZ Premiership as Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic tie unwanted record

Magic's Kelsey McPhee jumps for the ball with the Pulse's Karin Burger. Photo / Photosport

The Central Pulse have dished out another netballing lesson as their grip on the ANZ Premiership tightens.

The league leaders hammered the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 54-33 in Wellington this afternoon, ensuring their unblemished record remains intact after 10 games.

They made their defensive presence felt from the first centre pass while they were clinical on attack with their connections upfront unbreakable.

Magic shooter Kelsey McPhee has impressed in recent weeks but her contribution to this game was limited as the Pulse defence, both inside and outside of the circle, kept her well under wraps.

She slotted just eight goals from 11 attempts as the Magic failed to net double digit goals in any quarter — eventually mustering the tied-lowest score in competition history.

A six-goal streak midway through the first quarter set the tone of the match, with the Pulse showing lightning speed on their transition onto attack and a strong hunger for ball on defence. The damage was being done through the midcourt with both Karin Burger and Claire Kersten getting plenty of hand to ball and their team-mates driving on strongly to mop up anything loose.

Penetrating the Pulse defensive wall proved tough for the Magic attack as they struggled to find McPhee in the shooting circle. The hosts led 13-9 at quarter time but their dominance was only just starting to ramp up to the delight of the full house.

Ameliaranne Ekenasio showed no effects from the ankle injury which forced her from the court last week, driving strongly into the circle and picking up ball on defence, although her radar fell away during the game. Her combination however with Aliyah Dunn, who was again a stand-out, proved the difference as the duo got the better of the Magic defence.

Trailing by 11 goals, the Magic made their first personnel change with Abigail Latu-Meafou coming on at goal attack and Monica Falkner going to goal shoot. It made it no easier to thread the ball through the Pulse wall as the hosts went into the main break with a commanding 28-15 advantage.

The goals kept coming in the second half allowing Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie to go to her bench with Ekenasio making way for Tiana Metuarau midway through the third quarter. With the Pulse firmly in control, 16-year-old Khiarna Williams also made her debut for the Magic.

Consistency has been the catch-cry from the Pulse this season and despite the raft of positional swaps, they kept the scoreline ticking over in the final quarter while restricting the Magic to the historic low.