Netball: Pulse finally get a victory

Cushla Lichtwark led the Pulse to their first-ever win in the ANZ Championship last night. Photo / Getty Images

The drought is over. After nearly two years of trying, the Central Pulse have finally recorded their first win in the ANZ Championship, upsetting the NSW Swifts in Wellington last night.

With the scores level at 41-all heading in to the final quarter the courageous Pulse held their nerve over a tense 15 minutes to scrape past the reigning premiers by one goal.

There were tears in the Pulse camp, as the players realised their achievement.

Pulse captain Cushla Lichtwark, so often used to offering up excuses for her side's loss after a match, was placed in the unfamiliar position of delivering a victory speech in the post-game interviews.

"It's a great feeling," said Lichtwark.

"Obviously what we've learnt over the season we put in to practice. It got a bit close at the end there, but we got across the line."

This weekend has seemingly brought a change to the luck for the New Zealand sides in the championship, with the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic making a breakthrough of their own last night.

Their win over the West Coast Fever in Perth was the first time a Kiwi side has won across the Tasman in 22 attempts.

At first glance many could question just how much satisfaction can really be taken from this win.

After all, this was a shadow Silver Ferns side up against a shadow Australian Under-21 side.

But despite their inexperience, the Fever have proved very competitive this season and up until last night were still in the hunt for a play-offs position.

The Magic were forced to work hard for their win, with no more than seven goals separating the two sides until late in the match. In the end it was the patience of the Magic attack, and the superior finishing of Maria Tutaia and Irene van Dyk, that allowed the visitors an historic win.

Not only have the Waikato franchise given their hopes of finishing minor premiers a huge shot in the arm, they have done their fellow Kiwi sides' a massive favour. Now the other New Zealand teams can cross the Tasman without being reminded of their poor record in Australia.

The Magic now head in to next week's final round clash against the Adelaide Thunderbirds, which will be crucial in determining the top two on the ladder.

The Northern Mystics blew a seven-goal lead over the Queensland Firebirds in the final quarter to allow the visitors to sneak home 59-57 win on Saturday.

But yesterday's two wins give New Zealand a 10-goal lead over Australia in the Rivalry Round.