An explosive third quarter fuelled the Canterbury Tactix well-executed 54-48 win over the Central Pulse in first-round ANZ Championship netball action in Christchurch on Monday.
The young and inexperienced Tactix ambushed a new-look Pulse, who unveiled its strengthened off-season line-up to little fanfare.
The Pulse had little to show for their new signings as the unheralded Tactix grew in stature the longer the game progressed.
While it was a well-merited win for the Tactix, the early signs are that both teams face testing times ahead.
The 11-all deadlock at the first break was a fair indication of the opening stanza which proved messy, punctuated by a high turnover rate and with neither team looking particularly settled.
Both teams were measured and, at times, ponderous in their through-court progress as the youthful Tactix and altered Pulse line-up struggled to find their groove.
The Tactix enjoyed more shots at goal in the first 15 minutes but the greenest shooting combination of the competition, Ellen Halpenny and Anna Thompson struggled to convert their opportunities.
But it was the home team who stole a march on the resumption, a five-goal run prompting changes to the Pulse line-up.
Silver Ferns defender Katrina Grant was replaced by Bessie Manu while the shooters swapped positions with Jane Altschwager moving out to goal attack and Silver Fern Paula Griffin into goalshoot.
Former Australian Diamond Altschwager, the new Pulse captain, was struggling with her timing after missing the off-season with injury and it was the home team who found the extra spark to head into the halftime break 25-21 ahead.
There was more impetus from the Tactix heading into the second half, with attackers Maree Bowden, Australian Institute of Sport recruit Chelsea Pitman and Thompson creating more opportunities with their speed and ball movement as they stretched out to a six-goal advantage.
The Pulse lacked punch and were unable to launch any consistent raids with Altschwager struggling to inject herself into the play as the visitors were haunted by their high turnover rate.
That prompted further changes with Atschwager going to the bench and Te Amo Amaru-Tibble taking over in the goal circle.
The Pulse's woes continued as the home upped the ante, growing in confidence as their through-court play cut the visitors' resistance wide open. Twelve straight goals hurtled the Tactix from their slumbering start into an energetic unstoppable force.
A shell-shocked Pulse had no reply, lack lustre and sloppy in most facets of their play, their ball supply dried up. The 18 goals to seven third quarter drubbing leaving them well adrift when trailing 43-28 at three-quarter time.
The Pulse made a late dabble, Griffin showing her accuracy when given the ball but she didn't see enough of it during the match and it was a case of too little too late.