Central Pulse have smashed defending champions Southern Steel 71-40 to continue their unbeaten start to the ANZ Premiership netball season.
The performance broke several team records, including their biggest-ever winning margin, most goals scored and the first time they've won five consecutive games.
They are also the first team to crack 70 goals in this year's competition.
In a frenetic start, the Pulse showcased their best qualities in the opening 15 minutes and never really took their foot off the gas, as they made a statement for their rivals to heed.
Tiana Metuarau led the masterclass up front with her quick release into her teenage shooting buddy Aliyah Dunn, as the young duo showed immense maturity in their understanding between each other. Dunn again brought a stand-out radar, netting 50 from 54 shots for the Pulse.
Not to be outdone by her rookie teammates, veteran defender Sulu Fitzpatrick was hungry for any ball that came within reach and her combination with captain Katrina Grant.
Both teams netted their first attempts but from there it was all yellow.
They had the usually unflappable Steel rattled after just five minutes of play, the speed of their ball release leaving their opponents baffled.
Steel coach Reinga Bloxham was forced to go to her bench with four minutes left in the first quarter, but it was at the front end of the court, where Jennifer O’Connell made way for Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Olivia Bates came on at goal attack.
The 21-9 quarter-time scoreline prompted more changes for the Steel, with Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, who started the game at goal keeper, moved back to the more familiar goal defence spot and Abby Erwood making way for Courtney Elliott.
Both changes seemed to work for the Steel, as they slowed the steam-rolling efforts of the Pulse, particularly disrupting the rhythm on attack - but only briefly.
The Pulse absorbed the mini challenge from the Steel and shifted gear again. From the thundering ball delivered by Fitzpatrick from the back, to speed of ball around the circle and the accuracy from their shooters in it, there was no stopping a rampant home team.
They were able to convert much of the turnover ball, which only made the hole deeper for Steel to dig themselves out of.
A staggering run of 10 goals late in the first half stunned almost everyone at the Te Rauparaha Arena, even the most fervent Pulse fans.
Coach Yvette McCausland-Durie resisted making too many changes, despite enjoying a 38-17 half-time lead, with goal attack Ameliaranne Ekenasio the only fresh legs for the third stanza.
The brakes were slowly applied by the Steel, as O’Connell returned to the action and netted nine from 10 attempts.
With little more than six minutes left in the game, McCausland-Durie finally emptied her bench, with Metuarau back on court, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan coming on at wing attack and Renee Savai’inaea to wing defence.
A difficult night for the Steel hit another low, when defender Dani Gray left the court with what looked like a serious knee injury late in the game.
Newshub.
