ANZ Netball Championships-Magic escape Pulse boilover in a night of high drama

It was an almost identical scoreline to the winless Pulses two-goal loss to the Southern Steel on Sunday.

Pulse captain Katrina Grant said the two close encounters were far from encouraging for the side, who had to learn how to get over the line.

Rival captain Laura Langman wasnt singing the praises of her side either, despite the win that keeps the Magic at the top of the points table. She instead paid credit to the Pulse side for exposing the Magic too many times.

The Pulse got off to a flying start, opening the scoring with three goals to the Magics one. Pulse goal attack Amber Bellringer managed to neatly evade the clutches of goal defence Casey Williams, playing her 50^th match for the Magic.

Right through court, the Pulses zonal defence took control, forcing the Magic into wayward passes which were quickly snaffled up. Bessie Manu at goal defence led from the back.

Twelve minutes into the quarter, with the Pulse 6-4 ahead, players and fans alike were forced to evacuate the TSB Arena to the shrieks of a fire alarm.

But the Pulse proved their vigorous start was anything but a false alarm, building to lead 14-11 at the first, official break.

The injection of wise head Frances Solia at wing attack, replacing Jess Tuki, saw the Magic quickly score six in a row to take the lead. Solias acute understanding of both her shooters, Irene van Dyk and Jamilah Gupwell, paid off handsomely.

By halftime, the Magic had ramped up their assault, stringing together goal after goal, to achieve an eightgoal turnaround, and led 26-21.

As is often the case, van Dyk dominated the shooting circle, striking with 21 of her 22 shots in the first half. Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, just 18, flourished in her first start at goal keep for the Magic, up against the experienced and accurate Australian shooter Caitlin Thwaites.

But Magic coach Noeline Taurua admitted her side hadnt truly shaken the Pulse, demanding more discipline on court.

The Pulse, on the other hand, were determined to meet coach Yvette McCausland-Duries directive for renewed commitment on attack and immediately into the third quarter squared up the scoreboard.

Cushla Lichtwark gave one of her trademark intrepid performances at wing defence for the Pulse; and Bellringer showed wisdom beyond her 20 years - her movement around the court opening up opportunities for Thwaites to capitalize.

Although the Magic carried a 35-32 advantage into the final stanza, the Pulse did not relinquish the fight, and again came within a whisker of the perennial ANZ Championship finalists.

But eventually the might of Casey Williams, the effervescence of Tone-Fitzpatrick and the composure of van Dyk (ending the game with a solid 89% accuracy) denied the Pulse a huge upset win in the dying minutes.