The Central Pulse have climbed into the trans-tasman netball championship top four after denying the Southern Steel a much-longed for first victory in their new Invercargill home.
But the Pulse's 62-54 victory, their fourth at the halfway point of the season, didn't come easy.
The Wellington based side came into the clash riding a wave of momentum following their overtime win over the Magic the previous week, but it didn't automatically convert into domination over the Steel.
With two of the most potent goal shoots in international netball at either end of the court, it wasn't surprising that the scoreboard ticked over goal-for-goal for most of the first quarter.
Irene van Dyk, in her 99th appearance in the ANZ Championship, slotted every shot she put up for the Pulse.
The win lifts the Pulse to fourth on the ladder, while the Steel remain second to bottom in the ten team competition.