With three rounds remaining, Central Pulse have regained the ANZ Championship lead, overwhelming Southern Steel 65-38 to leapfrog Mainland Tactix to the top of the table.
After exchanging the lead backwards and forwards throughout the season, the Tactix grabbed the initiative with a win over their rivals two weeks ago, but surrendered that edge, when they fell to champions Northern Mystics over the weekend.
The Pulse duly took advantage of the opening, leading 25-17 at halftime and running off seven unanswered goals in the third quarter to stamp their dominance over the southerners, who have managed only two wins and no bonus points this season.
With Silver Ferns Maddy Gordon and Amelia Walmsley still sidelined with injury, the Pulse have somehow overcome their absences to remain competitive.
Walmsley's replacement, Martina Salmon, was the most impressive shooter on show, converting 53/62 (85 percent), but the Pulse defence simply suffocated the Steel attack, allowing only 47 attempts on goal.
Captain Kelly Jackson snared six intercepts, while wing defence Fa'amu Ioane celebrated her 100th national league appearance.
The Pulse also took home the new Robyn Broughton Legacy Trophy, introduced to honour the legendary coach who died last year and guided both teams during her career. The result was the Pulse's highest score of the season and a record margin for national league games at Invercargill.
"Defensively, Steel started really well," said Jackson. "They made the space look open and we were guilty of giving it, when it wasn't really on.
"Glad we tidied that up, we probably weren't as clinical as we wanted, but great to be able to put those numbers on the scoreboard."
The Pulse face a tough run to the playoffs, with Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Sunday, the Mystics re-energised by the return of shooter Grace Nweke and a potential top-of-the-table decider against the Tactix in their final game.
Regular season winners progress straight to the final, so that position will be hotly contested down the stretch.
"We can't change it, can we?" said Jackson. "It's going to be a great contest over the next three games and it will be crucial to see who gets that home grand final.
"We'll be really gunning for that."
Central Pulse 65 (Salmon 53/62, Metuarau 9/12, Pelasio 3/5) Southern Steel 38 (G Heffernan 20/24, Namana 11/16, Temu 7/7)
