Defending champions Central Pulse have their title defence off to a shaky, but winning start, barely holding off Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 53-52 in their ANZ Premiership opener at Palmerston North.
The titleholders trailed only briefly in the opening quarter and led 30-25 at halftime, before stretching their advantage to nine goals in the third stanza, before the Magic staged a late comeback.
With international shooters Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Bailey Mes under goal, they outscored the Pulse over both the final two quarters, drawing within two with seven unanswered goals in the third period and then going goal for goal down the final five minutes of the match, without quite bridging the gap.
After losing the competition's top scorer - Aliyah Dunn - to Mainland Tactix this season, the Pulse were well served by second-year shooter Amelia Walmsley, who outshoot both her Silver Ferns counterparts (36/39) with less possession to work with.
Northern Mystics have snatched the early lead on the competition table, courtesy of a 26-goal romp over Southern Steel, with Northern Stars facing Tactix on Monday.
Magic face the Stars and Pulse take on the Steel next Saturday.
Central Pulse 53 (Walmsley 36/39, Metuarau 17/18) Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 52 (Ekenasio 27/31, Mes 25/30)