Netball: Central Pulse take convincing win over Mainland Tactix

Aliyah Dunn starred in the Pulse's win over the Tactix. Photo / Photosport

The Central Pulse have maintained their unbeaten run to top the ANZ Premiership ladder once more.

Dominating the Mainland Tactix 52-40 today, the Pulse stepped on to Palmerston North's Fly Palmy Arena court for the first time since last year's devastating grand final loss to the Southern Steel, determined to start making amends for their fans.

Pulse captain Katrina Rore was pleased to secure another win.

"That was a really tough battle and I don't feel like the scoreline really reflects how tough that was," Rore said.

"It was another defensive game going back and forward and quite low scoring but that's why we train and why we do what we do."

The Pulse got off to a flying start in the opening quarter with fast-paced play while the Tactix struggled to find their rhythm, giving up plenty of ball from offensive penalties.

Young Pulse goal shoot Aliyah Dunn displayed her usual accurate form with a 91 per cent shooting performance, despite being up against tenacious Tactix captain and Silver Ferns defender Jane Watson.

Tiana Metuarau joined Dunn in the shooting circle for the first time in a while as Ferns shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio watched from the sideline after suffering a concussion early last week.

Metuarau and Dunn were hailed as one of the country's most exciting young up-and-coming shooting duos last season and the pair were back to their usual tricks under the net.

Samon Nathan took to the court for the Tactix in the second quarter after earning a call-up when the Mainlanders lost dynamic midcourter Erikana Pedersen to a season-ending injury last week.

Joining Kimiora Poi, who is pushing hard to retain her place in the Silver Ferns during World Cup year, Nathan produced some lovely feeds but struggled overall to get enough ball to her shooters to close the gap on the scoreboard.

Ahead by seven going into the third quarter, the Pulse continued to set the pace while the visitors scrambled to keep up.

In response, Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek made a few on-court positional changes but it wasn't enough to shake up the steady Pulse.

Rore, who is working hard to earn a Silver Ferns recall after being dropped from the side before January's Quad Series, caused all sorts of problems for the Tactix shooters, while Pulse midcourter Karin Burger snatched an impressive fifth intercept in the final moments of the game to deliver her side yet another opportunity to extend their lead.

And although the Tactix looked to step up slightly in the final minutes, the Pulse held steady to deliver their home crowd that winning feeling.

Both sides will have more than a week to rest before their next game, while the Southern Steel take on the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic tomorrow night in Invercargill.