The Pulse performance tonight (Saturday) shows much promise
for the season ahead with a fit Pulse contingent playing like a real team to secure a pre-season 52-45 win over the Melbourne Vixens.
Shining stars included Te Huinga Reo Selby Rickit as fit as I
have ever seen her and at the opposite end of the court goal attack Ameliaranne
Wells. Wells didn’t hesitate to take shots
from distance with satisfying accuracy, combining well with Jodi Brown. A
noticeable change in styles occurred once Irene van Dyk came on in the fourth
quarter. The older shooters chose to throw the ball around more in the circle
and outside of it. Within the circle though some of the catches by van Dyk were
impressive.
Whitney Souness came on in the last quarter as centre and
proved herself a player of real quality threading the needle with skill to pass
into the circle. Elias Shadrock went from centre to wing defence, having the
difficult task of filling Joline Henry’s fast and fiery shoes. Shadrock was a
skilful and excellent defender. Liana Leota fed ball with precision and the
Pulse’s teamwork and morale are obviously high.
The Vixens' Madi Robinson showed her skills in the centre court along with Kate Moloney. Geva Mentor skilfully intercepted and deflected Pulse passes. The primary issue for the Vixens was supply of ball to the shooters rather than accuracy. Karyn Bailey, Tegan Caldwell and in the fourth quarter, Carla Dziwoki usually found their targets apart from a couple of brief periods where shooters struggled.. Stringent Pulse defence all over the court made things difficult for the shooters.
