The Central Pulse are finally on the board in 2015.
It's taken them three games but they recorded their first win last night after they beat the Mainland Tactix 48-41 in Christchurch.
After copping two losses to Australian teams in the opening fortnight of the ANZ Championship, the Pulse werein desperate need of a win and they got it. But it was hardly a virtuoso performance.
The Tactix have finished last in four of the past five seasons but they're often a stumbling block for the Pulse.
Eight of the previous 14 meetings between the sides had been decided by five goals or less, which indicated the close nature of the rivalry.
After a slow opening quarter, the sides traded goals during the second frame as neither team was able to stamp their authority on the contest as errors slowed them down.
Pulse coach Robyn Broughton also went to her bench and summoned goal attack Ameliaranne Wells to replace the struggling Jodi Brown who had made only eight of her 16 attempts at goal. That change sparked the Pulse who took a 24-21 lead to the main break.
Tactix defenders Jessica Moulds and Demelza Fellowes had a strong opening half as they made life tough for the Pulse shooters.
The third quarter was where the Pulse began to finally wrest control of the match as they were able to build a five-goal margin. Pulse wing defence Joline Henry provided better direction in their attack and Broughton's side won the battle of the mid-court.
Broughton made another tweak in the final quarter as Irene van Dyk was given a break as Brown returned to help close the game out.
The Pulse will travel to Auckland to meet the Mystics in the next round, while the Tactix, who have lost their first three games, play the Magic in Hamilton.
Central Pulse 48 (Jodi Brown 18/27, Irene van Dyk 16/21 Ameliaranne Wells 14/17) Mainland Tactix 41 (Mwai Kumwenda 26/29, Bailey Mes 15/26, Gemma Hazeldine 0/1) 1Q: 12-11, halftime: 24-21, 3Q: 35-30
