Central Pulse 44
Central Pulse were brought back to earth with a thud today, caned 61-44 by the trans-Tasman netball league front-runners Queensland Firebirds at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua today.
Still buzzing after Monday's 63-61 extra time win over West Coast Fever, the Pulse were outplayed by the unbeaten Firebirds in pretty much every facet of play.
Despite losing key midcourter and Australian international Lauren Nourse with a knee injury two minutes before the end of the first quarter, the Firebirds machine rolled on to take the opening stanza 15-10.
Elissa Macleod slotted smoothly into centre, and in tandem with wing attack Chelsea Pitman and experienced goal attack Natalie Medhurst, kept target goal shoot Romelda Aiken supplied with a quality stream of ball.
At the other end of the court, Pulse shooters Caitlin Thwaites and Amber Bellringer were under constant pressure from Firebirds circle defenders Amy Steel and Laura Geitz.
The Firebirds through-court defence could take much of the credit for that, disrupting the Pulse's drive to the circle and forcing a seemingly endless series of turnovers.
The visitors went to halftime time with a 31-19 lead, and although the Pulse worked hard to rein back the errors, they still coughed up too much possession to ever threaten.
Ahead 45-31 at the three-quarter break, the Firebirds closed out the final 15 minutes clinically to secure their 10th win on end.
Queensland Firebirds 61 (Romelda Aiken 37/44, Natalie Medhurst 24/29) Central Pulse 44 (Caitlin Thwaites 35/44, Amber Bellringer 6/11, Alannah Cassidy 3/6). Halftime: 31-19.
- NZPA
