THE Central Pulse have made it two wins from as many matches after defeating the WBOP Magic 56-44. It was a tight first half, but a strong third term from the victors made all the difference.

Some strong defensive work from the Magic allowed them to be the ones to break centre pass first, and went on to score the first three goals of the match before the Pulse got their first on the board. However, once the Pulse did get that first goal on the board they then went on a five-goal run of their own to take the lead for themselves.

But, the match took a turn when Parris Mason copped a two-minute suspension, but the Pulse weathered the two minutes like the champion team they are.

It remained tight between the sides as the quarter progressed, but as the quarter time buzzer rung out it was the Magic who were leading by a single goal.

Eventually it was the visitors who started to get a bit of a grip of control on the game and as such established a bit of a buffer on the scoreboard. However it was not long before the Pulse kicked back into gear and eliminated the deficit and took the lead.

As the teams went into the main break, the lead had flipped from where it was 15 minutes earlier and now the Pulse held a two-goal advantage.

The Pulse continued to assert control on the match in the third term, nailing nine of the first 12 goals of the quarter to establish a lead the size of which had not been seen yet in the match.

After making many changes to their on-court line-up earlier in the match the Pulse had finally settled on a combination and it was working wonders for them as the Magic continued to try and get to that position.

The home side went on to win the quarter by seven goals, and as such their lead was all the way up to nine as the teams turned for home.

That proved to be the deciding term, as it proved to be a margin too big or the Magic to conquer in the final term.

Kelly Jackson (eight gains, seven deflections, three intercepts, two rebounds) starred in defence again for the Pulse, while Maddy Gordon (42 feeds, 26 assists, four deflections, two gains) was certainly productive through midcourt.

Meanwhile for the Magic Erena Mikaere (seven deflections, five gains, three bounds) and Georgia Takarangi (four gains, four intercepts, three deflections) both impressed.

In other results:

• The Tactix have made it two from two to start the season with a five-goal win over the Stars.

The Tactix led by six goals at the main break but the Stars fought back hard in the third term to level up proceedings, but the Tactix fought back hard in the last term to take the win.

Jane Watson shone in defence for the Tactix, nabbing four gains, while Kimiora Poi was again industrious in mid court.

Meanwhile for the Stars usual suspects Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Gina Crampton again shone.

• The Mystics are also two from two after a nine-goal win over the Steel.

The home side did actual draw the third term, but could not win the last so it was of little avail as the damage had already been done by the Mystics in the first half.

Elisapeta Toeava (30 feeds, 25 assists) and Carys Stythe (four gains, one deflection, one intercept) again impressed for the reigning champs, while Kate Heffernan (18 feeds, four gains, three intercepts) and Abby Lawson (two gains, one intercept, one deflection) impressed for the Steel.