Vixens 49
Pulse 41
The Central Pulse failed to play their part in New Zealand's quest for an unprecedented one-two finish in the transtasman league, capitulating to the Melbourne Vixens in Porirua last night.
A Pulse win would have placed the Northern Mystics in the box seat to secure the minor premiership heading in to the final round, while also advancing the Magic's hopes of finishing second.
But instead the Vixens snatched the initiative, leapfrogging the two New Zealand sides into the top spot.
With a final round showdown against the lowly Southern Steel in Invercargill, it is unlikely the Melbourne side will relinquish their position from here.