NSL R3: Pulse 63 Stars 50

Another strong start for Pulse saw a win against Stars at home.

Pulse’s second home game of the season got off to a flying start with the team romping to an 11-4 lead thanks to awesome defensive unit work, insane feeds from Alicia and Jade and flawless shooting. Stars then settled into the quarter and pulled back to 13-9. A fly from Jo at the end of the quarter looked on but Jade took control and a bullet pass into Liv saw the quarter end with Pulse leading 18-11.

No changes for Pulse going into the second quarter and it started off a little scrappy from both sides. Pulse soon took control and drove out to a 22-12 lead. With the game then going goal for goal, Pulse brought Berri Neil on at GA with just under 3 minutes left in the first half. The Berri and Liv partnership paid dividends quickly and the half ended with Pulse leading by 11 – 32-21.

At Half-time, while the players took a well earned breather we were happy to welcome the Essex Met County Academy athletes onto court to receive a certificate for their achievement. We love working with our counties and the future is very bright!

Pulse got off to a quick start with Liv and Berri cutting up the defence and Zara, Funmi and Lindsay turning ball with ease. With the lead out to 40-23, Pulse made a couple of changes with Ellie coming on at C and Ash at WA. Shortly thereafter, Liv took a smack to the face and had to come off – Berri moved to GS and Sacha reentered the court at GA. Stars were able to capitalise following the change up and shortened the goal difference to 43-29 when Hali entered the court at GK. Pulse won the quarter 14-12 and despite the closer match up were able to extend the lead to 46-33 with Berri scoring with 1 second on the clock.

Q4 saw the return of Liv to GS with Berri moving back to GA. The quarter saw a run of goals for Stars and then for Pulse and some defensive changes as Jade returned at C, Ellie moved to WD and Zara to GD. Pulse pushed the score out to 60-46 but Stars did not roll over and the match finished with a penalty on the buzzer from Berri and a Pulse 63-50 Win The match saw Pulse land 100% team shooting stats in both the 1st and 4th quarter.

The Atlantic House Player of the Match was awarded to our fearless centre – Jade Clarke

SAM BIRD: “I’M REALLY PLEASED WITH THE STRONG START WE MADE – THAT WAS SOMETHING I ASKED THE SQUAD TO WORK ON GOING INTO THIS GAME. A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT SOME MORE COMBINATIONS AND LOTS OF USEFUL THINGS TO TAKE BACK TO TRAINING BEFORE WE FACE THUNDER AT THE WEEKEND.”

Match Report/Img: London Pulse