Pulse 40
Thunderbirds 75
Just when it seemed the Central Pulse's horror start to this year's transtasman league couldn't get any worse, it did.
Stranded winless at the bottom of the table after four rounds, the Pulse were exposed in all areas of the court as they were overwhelmed by the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Wellington yesterday.
The Pulse started like a team already beaten and the Thunderbirds punished their hesitancy with clinical efficiency. Ahead 20-11 at the end of the first quarter and 38-23 at halftime, the Thunderbirds never let up as the game progressed. They maintained their intensity until the final whistle.
The third quarter proved especially productive defensively for the Australians as they restricted the Pulse to just six goals while racking up 17 themselves to lead 55-29 going into the final 15 minutes.
Thunderbirds defenders Mo'onia Gerrard and Geva Mentor were at their intimidating best in the circle. Their efforts combined with a smothering through-court defensive effort to generate a wealth of turnovers, duly converted by Thunderbirds shooters Carla Borrego and Kate Beveridge.
Jamaican international Borrego was in outstanding form, missing just one of her 59 shots on goal, and controlling the shooting circle with a mesmerising mix of movement and a well-timed holding game.
The Thunderbirds put up 79 shots on goal over the four quarters, their shooters converting at an impressive 95 per cent rate while the Pulse managed to sink just 40 of their 53 attempts for 75 per cent.
With Thunderbirds centre Natalie von Bertouch marshalling play through the midcourt, the Thunderbirds' transition from defence was lightning quick, and the Pulse were too often left scrambling for scraps of possession.
Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie was without one of her best defenders, Silver Fern Katrina Grant sidelined with injury. Although Bessie Manu and Ama Agbeze worked hard in the circle, the pace and accuracy of the Thunderbirds' ball into their shooters proved unstoppable.
In contrast, the Pulse struggled to find shooters Jane Alstschwager and Paula Griffin, shortcomings in the links between the midcourt and the circle constantly exposed as the Australians' pressure on the pass forced turnover after turnover. McCausland-Durie, who made four halftime changes in last week's game against NSW Swifts when her team led 25-23, made none yesterday despite a 15-goal deficit at the break.
A third quarter substitution saw Jamilah Gupwell come on at goal attack for Griffin, but the swap was short-lived. Griffin came back on in the fourth quarter amid a flurry of Pulse changes.
Thunderbirds coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson was able to clear her bench in the final 15 minutes, to no noticeable loss in quality, and the Thunderbirds finished as they started, with a 20-goal quarter to cement their win.
- NZPA
