ANZ Premiership: Central Pulse beat Northern Stars to remain unbeaten

Katrina Rore.
Katrina Rore. Photo credit: Photosport

The Central Pulse continued their perfect start to the ANZ Premiership season, downing Northern Stars 68-42 in Porirua on Wednesday night.

The win was their seventh straight, setting a new franchise record, while the 68 goals scored were the second-most in the club's history, three shy of the record set last season.

The Pulse raced out to a big lead in the first quarter and dominated throughout, as Silver Fern Ameliaranne Ekenasio (30/34) and teenage goal-shoot Aliyah Dunn (38/41) dominated inside the shooting circle.

They held a 19-8 lead at quarter-time, but the Stars showed some fight in the second, as coach Kiri Wills rung the changes, with Ellen Halpenny replacing Charlee Hodges and Kate Burley joining the defensive mix for Storm Purvis.

The changes brought the Stars back into the match and the visitors looked on track to win the second quarter, but four-straight goals from the Pulse saw them take the period 15-13 and hold a 34-21 advantage at the main break.

The home side continued their dominance in the third quarter, winning it by eight goals to lead 53-42, as the frustration grew on the Stars' faces.

The onslaught continued in the fourth quarter, which the Pulse won 15-10 to secure a 26-goal win at Te Rauparaha Arena.

For the Stars, Maia Wilson (29/36) led the way shooting the ball, while Ellen Halpenny (10/12) and Charlee Hodges (3/4) also chipped in.

The Pulse are back in action next Wednesday, when they travel south to face the Southern Steel in Dunedin, while the Stars host the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Monday.

Newshub.