Pulse push past Storm

The end score did not reflect the intensity and pace in this game as a goal for goal physical battle lasted until the final minutes before Pulse strung together stops and scores to close out the victory.

Storm lost the opening possession as the young star Funmi Fadoju reached high to tip a pass and Pulse transitioned up the court as Olivia Tchine found the net.

There was a shock to the crowd as league scoring leader Proscovia Peace missed two in a row and Pulse led 4-2.

Felisitus Kwangwa worked hard to find front position on Tchine, the Zimbabwe international leapt to intercept a feed and Austin threw one up to Peace.

Storm's defence upped the energy making Pulse really work hard to get to the circle edge, Storm force two turnovers in a row and convert at the other end to take the lead 7-5.

After a technical timeout the break in play put a halt on Storm's momentum as Pulse tied the game at seven apiece after a footwork call from the umpire.

Pulse took advantage of the Storm error and took a two-goal lead and held onto it to finish the quarter in front 12-10.

Pulse entered the second quarter with conviction to get the first points on the board and a stop on defence.

Momentum built for Pulse as they extend the two-goal lead to four in the opening five minutes of the quarter and Storm made a change as Magee replaced Wells at goal attack.

With an immediate impact into the game, Emma Magee made her first couple of shots and Leah Middleton recovered the ball twice in a row as Storm reduced the deficit to two goals.

With the home side breathing down the necks of Pulse, the team in pink continued to play defence all through the court closing the open space.

Everitt asserted her dominance making it difficult for Storm to transition up the floor to finish the half 25-20 ahead.

A change for Pulse at the half as Alicia Scholes came on at wing attack and Tayla Honey at centre.

Storm opened the scoring as Emma Magee sunk one home before a stop on defence at the other end and quick transition saw the home side back within two points.

Austin then fed Peace from half court as it becomes a one-goal game. Both teams traded goal for goal not giving an inch at either end of the court.

Peace and Tchine continued to find the bottom of the net throughout the third quarter. As we hit the four-minute mark Storm failed to execute on a couple of possessions and Pulse found some breathing room at 32-29.

Leah Middleton managed to force a miss from Tchine as the Surrey crowd released a huge roar. Just before the third quarter buzzer went Sophia Candappa replaced Yasmin Parsons as the scores sat at 35-32 with it all to play for in the fourth.

Further changes from Pulse as Neil replaced Tchine in the fourth quarter. Storm had a three-goal deficit to claw back and Sophia Candappa's accuracy found Peace from mid court on back-to-back passes.

Storm were relentless in trying to break the two-goal barrier they had been unable to get inside.

Fresh legs on the court continued for Pulse as Ellie Rattu came back to the court for Honey. As the clock ticked over the halfway mark of the final quarter Storm begin to force passes under the pressure of cutting down the Pulse lead.

The defence of Keable and Everitt combined and with Storm unsuccessful at the shooting end Pulse stretch out a five-goal lead.

Priest replaced Kwangwa and Wells re-entered the court for Magee with four minutes to go. However, Pulse continued to extend the breathing room by another 3 goals as the Surrey sides efforts were not enough and Pulse take the 45-38 win.

Report provided by Surrey Storm

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