Pulse put the icing on Tiana Metuarau's milestone match. Photo: PhotoWellington
Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse have put the competition on notice with a slick first-up performance to open their ANZ Premiership campaign with a dominant win over Magic.
Fast out of the blocks, the Pulse built on a commanding opening quarter to close out a 57-44 victory at Fly Palmy Arena in Palmerston North on Saturday.
In a match that produced everything, Magic captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio made Premiership history in landing the game’s first Super Shot, Pulse coach Anna Andrews-Tasola used the coach’s box while both teams used the new tactical timeouts. Pulse midcourter Fa’amu Ioane was also suspended for two minutes late in the third spell for dangerous play.
``It’s been such a tough pre-season with so many of our athletes out and to be able to see them all go out there and just show what they’ve got was phenomenal,’’ Andrews-Tasola said.
``It was a real joy to be honest because they’re all different, they all bring different strengths and seeing all of it finally get out there was beautiful.’’
The Summerset Super Shot was highly anticipated in the opening round, and it took some time for both teams to take advantage of the higher scoring zone – Andrews-Tasola perhaps showing a superior strategy by injecting long range specialist Amorangi Malesala during the last five minutes of each quarter to land four two-pointers.
A flurry of Super Shots in the fourth quarter certainly closed the gap as the Magic netted four two-pointers in an impressive last-ditch effort to stop the Pulse.
Equally as impressive was the Pulse’s defensive showing as they stamped their mark on the match at their first opportunity, forcing Magic to shoot long and earning the turnover as they raced out to a 3-0 lead.
Playing in her 100th game in Pulse colours, Tiana Metuarau helped marshal the attacking unit against an experienced Magic defence and combined well with both Whitney Souness and former Australian Diamond Gabi Simpson who was in her debut match for the club.
Little went right for the Magic as they struggled to find any rhythm on attack or stymie the flow of ball into Pulse shooter Amelia Walmsley who landed all 10 of her first quarter attempts.
The Pulse were the first to make use of the new tactical timeouts introduced this year, coming in for a quick chat with just over three minutes remaining in the spell.
The hosts transition from defence onto attack was also troublesome for the Magic who struggled with composure and went into the break trailing 6-15.
Ekenasio called on her Magic troops to step up and do the work in the second quarter and they made one change heading into the stanza with Kate Taylor replacing Saviour Tui at goal shooter.
Malesala, who came on for Metuarau late in the first quarter, held her spot at goal attack as both teams traded goals early on.
Personnel changes continued with Magic searching for an answer to shut down the Pulse’s shooting dominance, Oceane Maihi injected into the game.
At the other end of the court, goal defence Parris Mason built into the game and pulled in three intercepts in the second quarter, making the Magic work hard
Ekenasio made history in sinking the first Super Shot and when she netted a second one less than a minute later, the Magic closed a 10-goal deficit to six.
But the hosts’ relentless defensive pressure turned the screws yet again as they restored their lead to 28-19 at the main break.
Andrews-Tasola went to her bench again with Maddy Gordon, returning from injury, replacing Souness and re-establishing links with Metuarau.
Georgie Edgecombe showcased her speed when moving to centre as both she and Simpson set the midcourt alight.
Malesala, who interchanged with Metaurau throughout the match, helped the hosts extend the lead with her first Super Shot as the Pulse turned into the final spell with a 45-29 lead.