Thunderbirds dismantle hapless Pulse

The Pulse had kept hope alive with a strong third quarter, taking the 15-minute spell 17-15 to trail 34-46 with 15 minutes to go.

But once the von Bertouchs started running riot, and with a plentiful supply of ball courtesy of defenders Geva Mentor and Bianca Reddy, the Pulse rolled over to lose the last quarter 24-6.

The consistency of shooters Kate Beveridge, who shot 40 from 46, and Natalie Medhurst, with 30 from 34, was a distinct point of difference. But the Thunderbirds' real dominance came in the wealth of possession turned over by a stifling whole-court defence - the Australians put up 80 shots over the 60 minutes, while the Pulse managed just 54.

Paula Griffin worked hard at goal attack for the Pulse, but converted a less than pleasing 20 from 29 while young goal shoot Te Amo Amaru-Tibble managed 20 from 25 to hit 80 percent.

The win maintains the Thunderbirds' third placing on the table, leaving them on 18 points with Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, although the Magic have a game in hand, against Canterbury Tactix on Monday.