NORTHERN Stars revered their fortunes against Central Pulse sneaking home with a narrow two-goal win to get back on the winners list (55-53). It was heartbreak for the Pulse who held the lead at three quarter time but were simply overpowered by the Stars who found that extra gear to kick into.

After a quiet performance last week, Jamie Hume made her mark nice and early with a long bomb. Playing against her former side, Elle Temu came out with a real point to prove as the goal defence got hands to ball and sent it rocketing back into the attacking third instantly. The Stars controlled the momentum with their slick movement down the court and Maia Wilson’s composure to the post giving them a four goal lead. Te Amo Amaru-Tibble landed the first two goals of the game for the Pulse before Aliyah Dunn got involved in the action to eat back into the buffer and reduce it to two goals. Hume was shouldering the load in attack unfazed by the long arms of Kelly Jury and backing herself from range. The Pulse increased their intensity in attack with the ball starting to drop their way but every time they rallied Temu found a way to get hands to ball whether it be an intercept or deflection to stop them in their tracks.

It was a different looking midcourt for the Pulse with Whitney Souness and Maddy Gordon taking out the wing attack and centre positions respectively.  Within a blink of an eye scores were level at nine goals apiece credit to the Pulse’s ability to fight their way back into the contest. But as soon as they did that the wheels started to fall off as Amaru-Tibble coughed up possession with a breaking call allowing the Stars to go on a three goal shooting spree of their own. Anna Harrison used her long arms to full effect with her impressive three-foot marking allowing her to pick-up a deflection as the Stars continued to keep their noses in front. Their clinical ball work and speed through the centre was causing all sorts of headaches for the Pulse who went into the break down by four goals.

It was goal for goal to start the second term before a wayward pass in the Stars attacking end gifting the Pulse a chance to capitalise in transition. Amaru-Tibble worked her way into the game as did Gina Crampton for the Stars with the dynamic wing attack finding circle edge with great ease. Crampton was a real general in attack opening up the space and releasing the ball with precision and timing into Hume and Wilson to keep the likes of Jury and Kelera Nawai on the backfoot. Hume was having an absolute field day sitting at 100 per cent midway through the second term.

Souness gave something for Pulse fans to cheer about bursting out of the blocks to steal a huge intercept before moments later Gordon sparked up to chase down the scraps and all of a sudden there was only one goal in it. The Pulse went on a rally nailing three goals straight with Dunn finding more space and levelling the scores. The intensity amplified as Nawai came up with a stellar intercept to send the Pulse into attack as Gordon once again showcased her athleticism to pinch the ball out of mid-air. The tables completely turned with the Pulse now holding a two goal lead taking the wind right out of the Stars’ sails. The Pulse seemed rejuvenated taking a two goal lead into half time.

A couple of positional changes from the Stars looked to shake things up as Temu pushed back into goal keeper and Harrison came out to goal defence. A costly footwork call from Amaru-Tibble allowed the Stars back in it as the scores were tied once again. The momentum continued to ebb and flow as the Pulse would push out to a two goal lead before the Stars would once again find a way to sneak back in. Mila Reuelu-Buchanan was in strong form throughout the third term using her strong drives and breakout speed to hit circle edge. With Dunn finding good rhythm and space the Stars looked to the bench with Oceane Maihi making her way onto the court in goal keeper. Her injection of height and overall aerial presence was undeniable as she immediately got hands to ball and caused doubts on the feed.

Claire Kersten was working her magic out in wing defence, continuously niggling and picking up a timely deflection to help the Pulse maintain their slim buffer. A three-goal lead to the visitors handed them the ascendancy once again as the frontend continued to motor and the defensive unit picked up ball. But Harrison was not about to be outdone with a huge rejection on the pass to keep the Stars in contention.

Three goals split the two sides at three quarter time with neither side able to break that mould. Lisa Mather was putting up a good fight in wing defence as the temperature inside the arena started to increase with bodies flying everywhere and the game on the line. The Stars started to rally especially in defence with Dunn falling victim to the long arm brigade of Harrison and Maihi. A goal from Wilson at the eight and a half minute mark levelled the scores and from then on the Stars wrestled back control, slotting four goals straight to stop the Pulse in their tracks and eventually win the match.

Wilson finished with 37 goals from 45 attempts, while Hume was accurate shooting at 86 per cent thanks to her 18 goals. Crampton was unstoppable with ball in hand registering 30 goal assists as Temu was instrumental in her half of netball with three gains and two intercepts as Harrison also starred thanks to her three intercepts. Dunn nailed 39 goals while Amaru-Tibble sunk 14 from 17. Souness and Gordon were real livewires amassing 15 and 17 goal assists.