Even without any of their frontline shooters - and stinging from their first loss of the season, Central Pulse have shrugged off their mounting injury toll to overwhelm Southern Steel 57-37, unleashing a record first-quarter scoring performance.
With contracted attackers Amelia Walmsley, Tiana Metuarau and Khiarna Williams all sidelined, Pulse coach Anna Andrews-Tasola was forced to field a makeshift line-up under goal and they responded with faultless shooting for a 20-6 lead in the opening stanza.
The home team stemmed the flow in the second quarter, actually emerging on top 12-10, were powerless against the capital juggernaut, as they continued to lose ground over the second half.
Taking the lead shooting role from Walmsley, Martina Salmon converted 48/54 (89 percent) to lead all scorers, assisted by Kiana Pelasio and Crystal Maro alternating at goal attack. Georgia Heffernan and Grace Namana shared the load for the Steel, who attempted 20 less shots on goal.
The Pulse suffered their first defeat against Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic last week, then lost Williams to a calf niggle, but continued to show resilience in the face of those odds.
"Incredibly happy," confirmed captain Kelly Jackson."The three things we wanted to work on were our basics, working for each other and also keeping the crowd silent.
"I think we did all of those things to turn it around from last week. I think we've managed to start strong in a lot of our games, but to maintain that throughout the first quarter has been crucial, so happy to do that and happy to keep the lead throughout the whole match."
The result sees the Pulse return to the top of the competition table, with Mainland Tactix due to face the champion Northern Mystics on Sunday. The Pulse take on the Mystics on Monday week.
Central Pulse 57 (Salmon 48/54, Pelasio 7/9, Maro 2/4) Southern Steel 37 (G Heffernan 19/25, Namana 16/20, Southby 2/2)
