With their season already over in terms of finals hopes, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse delivered one of their most complete performances of the year to upset the ladder-leading Mainland Tactix 49-45 at Fly Palmy Arena. The win not only ended a six-match losing streak but also served as a powerful statement from a young side that refused to go quietly into the off-season.

Sitting comfortably at the top of the ANZ Premiership standings, the Tactix arrived in Palmerston North with one eye on securing hosting rights for the Grand Final. However, they were made to work much harder than expected by a Pulse outfit playing with the freedom that comes from having nothing left to lose. The result exposed several areas of concern for Donna Wilkins’ side, particularly their slow start and inconsistent attacking execution.

From the opening whistle, the Pulse looked sharper and more connected than they have all season. With a raucous home crowd behind them, they started aggressively and took an early 3-0 lead. The Tactix struggled to find rhythm in attack, with turnovers and poor ball movement allowing Pulse to dictate the tempo from the outset. It was a concerning start for a team that usually controls games so effectively.

The first quarter belonged to the home side, who led 10-7 at the first break. A key moment came late in the spell when Pulse made a tactical change in the shooting circle, moving captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio to goal attack and bringing Ine-Mari Venter on at shooter. The adjustment created more space and allowed Khiarna Williams to impact the game from a different position, catching the Tactix off guard.

One of the standout performers in the first half was wing attack Lili Gorman-Brown. The young midfielder was outstanding, delivering 21 feeds in the opening 30 minutes. Her vision, timing, and ability to find her shooters under pressure were central to Pulse’s attacking success. Gorman-Brown’s performance suggested she is rapidly developing into one of the most exciting young talents in the competition.

Midway through the second quarter, Ekenasio received medical attention on the sideline after appearing to tweak something during play. Many expected her to sit out the remainder of the match, but she returned to the court shortly afterwards. Her willingness to push through discomfort proved vital as Pulse maintained their momentum heading into halftime, leading 24-20.

The Tactix showed signs of improvement after the break, but they continued to be frustrated by Pulse’s aggressive defensive pressure. Wing defence Ainsleyana Puleiata caused significant problems for veteran Gina Crampton, while the Pulse attacking unit remained composed and clinical. Tactix coach Donna Wilkins was forced to make a change in the midcourt, bringing Tiana Day on for Holly Mather late in the third quarter.

Despite a brief rally from the visitors, Pulse refused to relinquish their advantage. They entered the final quarter leading 37-34 and showed great maturity in protecting their lead. The home side’s ability to absorb pressure and respond with composure was a clear sign of growth, especially compared to some of their earlier performances this season.

For the Tactix, the loss will be a cause for concern despite the bonus point secured by Amorangi Malesala’s super shot in the dying seconds. Their attacking structure looked disjointed for long periods, and they struggled to generate consistent flow against Pulse’s defensive pressure. It was a rare off night for a team that has dominated much of the season.

Pulse coach Anna Andrews-Tasola was understandably proud of her team’s effort. Speaking after the match, she highlighted the group’s determination to keep improving despite their season being over in terms of finals qualification. She emphasised that the performance was the result of weeks of hard work on building connections both on and off the court.

“It was just a matter of time and now, I just wish we had another round of matches to play,” Andrews-Tasola said. “It was a full team effort today. We used everyone’s strengths when we needed to and they all stood up.”

The result also highlighted the growing maturity within the Pulse squad. With several young players stepping up in key moments, the team showed they have the foundations to build something special for next season. The experience gained from competing against top sides like the Tactix will be invaluable moving forward.

For Mainland Tactix, the focus will now shift to ensuring they address the issues exposed in Palmerston North before the finals series begins. While they remain favourites to claim the minor premiership, performances like this serve as a timely reminder that no opponent can be taken lightly in the ANZ Premiership.

Overall, it was a night that belonged to Pulse. They played with energy, belief, and structure, producing their best display of the season when it mattered most. For a team that has endured a difficult campaign, this victory provided a positive note to end their home-and-away season on.