The defending champions the Central Pulse have suffered their first loss of the ANZ Premiership season Photo: Michael Bradley
Defending champions the Central Pulse have suffered their first loss of the ANZ Netball Premiership season beaten 59-51 by last year's runners-up the Northern Stars.
The Stars dominated from the outset, leading 17-12 at the end of the first quarter.
However the second quarter was sloppy from both teams with loose passes and multiple penalties as the Pulse closed to within one goal.
However the Stars managed to edge out again by halftime going to the break four goals up, 30-26.
The Stars dominated the third quarter with strong defensive pressure from Kelera Nawai-Caucau and former Silver Ferns captain Katrina Rore, who was making her Stars debut as a replacement for the ill Elle Temu, with the Stars leading 48-37 heading into the final quarter.
While the Stars were slightly rushed in the final quarter, guilty of giving away cheap possession, they hung on to eventuall win by eight goals.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio. Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
Meanwhile extra time was needed to separte the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and the Mystics in Hamilton.
Down early on the Magic stormed back to pip the Mystics 57-56.
Rebounding from a 19-goal loss last week, the Magic started slowly surrendering a 10-goal deficit at the first quarter but then produced three strong quarters.
It was the second biggest quarter time deficit during which a team has gone on to win an ANZ Premiership match - the Steel prevailing over the Tactix after being down by 13 at the first quarter break in 2019.
That left the scores tied up at 53-all at fulltime, resulting in two three-minute spells of extra time.
In a nail-biter, the home side nudged to a one-goal advantage after the first three minutes.
With a minute to go and the scores level, the Magic secured the all-important turnover with captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio nailing the winning penalty shot with time up.
-RNZ
