Thunderbirds 70 Pulse 40
Two disastrous quarters proved insurmountable for the Central Pulse as the Adelaide Thunderbirds clinically dismantled them 70-40 in their transtasman netball league match in Adelaide today.
With the Thunderbirds possibly a touch complacent, the Pulse surprised with a strong opening quarter to take the lead 12-11 after 15 minutes.
The return of Jamaican goal keep Althea Byfield, back on court for the first time in six weeks after suffering concussion in round six, provided a real boost and some extra steel at the back.
But the Thunderbirds charged back with an unstoppable second quarter, outscoring the hapless Pulse four to one and building up a useful 31-17 halftime lead.
Coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson injected Laura von Bertouch at halftime, and it was her combination with sister Natalie in the midcourt that saw the Thunderbirds' score balloon out in the final 15 minutes.
The Pulse had kept hope alive with a strong third quarter, taking the 15-minute spell 17-15 to trail 34-46 with 15 minutes to go.
But once the von Bertouchs started running riot, and with a plentiful supply of ball courtesy of defenders Geva Mentor and Bianca Reddy, the Pulse rolled over to lose the last quarter 24-6.
The consistency of shooters Kate Beveridge, who shot 40 from 46, and Natalie Medhurst, with 30 from 34, was a distinct point of difference. But the Thunderbirds' real dominance came in the wealth of possession turned over by a stifling whole-court defence - the Australians put up 80 shots over the 60 minutes, while the Pulse managed just 54.
Paula Griffin worked hard at goal attack for the Pulse, but converted a less than pleasing 20 from 29 while young goal shoot Te Amo Amaru-Tibble managed 20 from 25 to hit 80 per cent.
The win maintains the Thunderbirds' third placing on the table, leaving them on 18 points with Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, although the Magic have a game in hand, against Canterbury Tactix on Monday.
- NZPA
