By David Di Somma
Not that long ago, the Central Pulse were the easybeats of the ANZ championship.
But this year the Wellington-based side has produced a massive upset - last night beating the table-topping Adelaide Thunderbirds in a 47-46 thriller in front of a sell-out crowd.
It seems some positional tinkering helped make the difference.
With their third win the Pulse have already equalled their best-ever season, and coach Robyn Broughton's side did it against the competition leaders and 2010 champions.
“It's a win that will give us a lot of belief in ourselves,” Broughton says.
They were lead by two of their stars in Silver Fern defender Katrina Grant and Jolene Henry, normally a wing defence, she played three quarters at centre.
And she was certainly giving as good as she got from her Adelaide Thunderbirds midcourt rival Renae Hallinan.
In front a record crowd of over 3700 the Pulse were racing. Pulse shooter Caitlin Thwaites enjoyed the atmosphere.
“The crowd was amazing - it's the best crowd I have played in front in of Wellington - it was awesome.”
In contrast, Thunderbirds star shooter Carla Borrego was successful with 27 from 34.
The Pulse scored eight unanswered goals in the third quarter and the final minutes were edge-of-seat excitement.
With time up Thwaites needed another goal for the 47-46 win.
“I was very aware of what was going on and if we missed it we were going into over time.”
As for netball's other big issue Broughton has got her own take on the "chairlift".
“If it comes into the game and everyone starts to use it we as coaches and players will find ways to combat it.”
Next up is the Southern Steel - a side which has just been on the wrong end of a one point result against the Queensland Firebirds.
3 News