KEY POINTS:
Canterbury Tactix were made to work overtime before subduing Central Pulse in a transtasman netball league match in Palmerston North today.
The southerners prevailed 55-50 following two seven-minute periods of extra time after the scores were locked at 43-43 at the end of regulation time.
It was a cruel outcome for the Pulse, who remain winless after six matches.
They played above themselves for much of the game but ultimately bowed to Canterbury's extra experience, with veteran centre Julie Seymour an influential figure for the winners.
The Pulse came into the match following their bye last week which gave them time to tend wounds caused by successive big defeats to Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic and the New South Wales Swifts.
Those two results came on the back of first-quarter blowouts, but the Pulse stayed with the Tactix all the way today and even positioned themselves to sneak a win before the visitors showed the class and composure that placed them fifth on the standings entering the seventh round encounter.
The Pulse led 37-33 with about 10 minutes remaining in the final quarter before Seymour helped guide the Tactix back into the game as they scored four successive goals.
But again the Pulse threatened, leading 41-39 with less than 3min on the clock only to end the quarter at 43-43 when new English import Rachel Dunn converted with 1sec remaining after she was obstructed under the basket.
The goal shoot was an important figure down the stretch as she showed promising signs in her league debut for the Tactix.
The England international ended the match with 37 goals from 43 attempts while her attacking partner Anna Thompson shot 18 from 26.
Arguably Dunn's most crucial goal came midway through the last extra period when she pulled off an offensive reound then nailed the goal to give her team what proved to be a decisive 51-49 advantage.
Seymour said she had a lot of respect for the Pulse despite their lowly placing on the points table.
"They pushed us really hard and I know they will be disappointed," she told Sky Sport.
"They are a good side and can give anyone a run for their money."
Seymour said her team were still adjusting to the introduction of Dunn while the Englishwoman was likewise taking time to find her feet.
"We were a little bit hesitant. It is something that will take a wee while to settle in, and there's nothing like playing games like this to have good practice."
It marked the second occasion that the Pulse have lost following extra time after they earlier went down 50-52 to Southern Steel.
Pulse captain Frances Solia was understandably deflated after the match.
"We knew if we had a good start then we'd be in for a good game. We really focused on that.
"We started how we wanted but we couldn't pull it off in the end.
"It was a big improvement but we're still really disappointed with the result."
The home team's best were English defender Sonia Mkoloma while New Plymouth schoolgirl Amber Bellringer underlined her uncommon potential after being brought in place of goal shoot Susan Tagicakibau for the second quarter.
Bellringer, 17, shot 18 from 26 to complement goal attack Jamilah Gupwell, who ended with 25 from 33.
"Amber put the shots up and it was great to see," Solia said.
"Every week when she comes on she gets better and better."
- NZPA
