Composed Pulse hold off Magic

Two decisive six-goal scoring streaks in the second quarter have given the Central Pulse a 55-51 win over a fast-finishing Magic outfit in Wellington.

In a game that swung between the sublime and the scrappy, the Pulse’s big second quarter performance was enough for their first win since round seven in May.

But the Magic made an impressive finish to the match – winning the second half and closing to within two with a few minutes left on the clock.

Pulse goal shoot Aliyah Dunn kept a steady hand throughout the game, shooting 41 from 44 (93 percent). For the Magic, teenage goal attack Khiarna Williams held her own in impressive company, contributing 20 from 23 shots.

The first quarter ended on even terms at 15-15, but the second spell belong to the Pulse.

But that all began to unravel for the Magic from the restart.

Pulse defenders, Kelly Jury, Kelera Nawai and Maddy Gordon returned with a new fire and denied the Magic shooters ball after ball, sending their team on two separate six-goal scoring sprees which gave them a 31-24 half-time lead.

Claire Kersten and MVP Whitney Souness controlled the midcourt, sending through some exquisite ball to Dunn, who was spot-on with her shooting.

The Magic claimed the third quarter 14-13, but still trailed 44-38 with 15 minutes remaining.

Circle defender Temalisi Fakahokotau underpinned a fourth-quarter Magic resurgence as they clawed back to within two but the Pulse’s composure under pressure gave them the win