Pulse earn first-ever win over Thunder

A close first half turned on its head in quarter three, as Pulse outscored Thunder by 11 to take control of the contest.

Thunder started well, pulling out a three-goal lead as Pulse made some early unsettled attacking mistakes.

Both teams settled into a nice rhythm until Berri Neil tipped the ball gaining Pulse a turnover and Liv Tchine gave them a one goal lead to send the visitors 15-14 ahead at the first break.

A change at the start of quarter two saw Amy Carter enter the game at wing defence for Taylor McKevitt. Thunder gained a number of deflections and tips through Josie Huckle and Ella Bowen throughout the quarter, but could not convert these gains into goals.

Caught by Carter 🫴@thundernetball's Amy Carter snatches a crucial turnover on the circle edge#GetSomeNet | #NSL2023 pic.twitter.com/y49fYvpXUW

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) May 1, 2023

Pulse took advantage of their intercepts and deflections, however, and even though it was a penalty strewn quarter, led at half time 29-26.

The returning Emma Dovey came on at goal defence, with Bowen moving back to goal keeper. The third quarter belonged to Pulse, Funmi Fadoju came into the game making early moves with an intercept and deflection while at the other end, the connection between Tchine, Jade Clarke and Chelsea Pitman just grew stronger.

With Thunder needing some turnover ball, Carter started the fourth quarter off in style with an early circle edge intercept followed up by a second intercept minutes later.

Pulse then emptied their bench with four minutes to play, with only Tchine and Fadoju remaining as Sam Bird demonstrated the capital side's depth of talent.

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Report provided by Manchester Thunder