VNSL Match Report: Pulse take the Sting out of Wasps

Round 4: London Pulse 52: Wasps Netball 35

Starting 7 today Liv, Sacha, Ash, Ellie, Zara, Funmi, Lindsay

A big encounter between London Pulse and Wasps Netball, who are both looking to win this round. Wasps started the first quarter with a bang, while London Pulse were a little slow out of the blocks, which Wasps took advantage of. The Wasps were ahead 4-0 after just a few minutes of play. Pulse  still attempting to score, as Tchine and McDonald tried tirelessly to score the first goal despite the closeness of the Wasps defence. McDonald, pumped up by her first shot, goes on defence and flips over the ball, but we are unable to capitalise.

Ellie Rattu recognises the momentum shift after the Wasps have scored a couple of goals and gets a vital turnover on their C pass before expertly feeding the ball to Tchine. Pulse continue to work circles around the Wasps defence and score another goal, bringing the score differential down by three points. Toward the end of the first quarter, the Pulse defence begin to put in a lot of work, and Keable gets a huge turnover for Pulse, bringing the final quarter score to 13 all.

The second quarter, both sides are revved up and ready to play. It was a London Pulse Centre pass that Pulse scored on, giving them the lead. During this time, the ball is passed back and forth, but the Pulse attack demonstrates that interceptions are not limited to defenders. Tchine tips the ball to Dekker, who assists her teammate, allowing them to score. The tension of this quarter rises, and its goal for goal, with both teams putting their bodies on the line. However, London Pulse continue to push forward, and Zara Everitt makes a huge interception, but the Wasps defence prevents us from getting it to goal.

Sam Bird makes the decision to start a clinical change and Alicia Scholes comes on for Ash Dekker, again there is nothing to separate the team in the score at the end of the quarter although the crowd noise is building as they sense a change in momentum – Halftime score 22-22.

They don’t call it the championship quarter for nothing and Pulse come out for the second half ready to go with Tayla Honey on at C.   This time Pulse get the better of the restart and Sacha McDonald gets another clean intercept from a sideline pass giving Pulse a quick 3 goal lead.

Whewwww, Pulse continued their awesome play and Funmi Fadoju gets a massive turnover and I believe that this was the slickest transition I’ve ever seen before. 4 balls down court and Tchine nets it. This attacking combo of Honey, Scholes, McDonald and Tchine were having a field day. The connection and continuous hard work were phenomenal. Pulse are up by 13 going into the final quarter having taken the 3rd 18-5 – a phenomenal shift from the entire team.

Then, London pulse turned it up another gear, Wasps had thrown everything at them, but Pulse countered every move. Lindsay Keable’s first game back since her little break and she has been on fire with Funmi Fadoju by her side. Jasmin, Kira and Berri joined the game in the final Q and also put in some spectacular work. Berri Neil came on to the obvious delight of the crowd making her debut for Pulse.  It may well have been the loudest roar of the crowd as she netted her first goal.

Final score of the game was 52-35 to London Pulse. Atlantic House Investments PoM – Olivia Tchine

All at Pulse want to send out a huge thank you to everyone involved in putting on our first home game in 2 years at the Copperbox Arena and to all the fans that showed up to support us.  Nearly 1000 of you were in the crowd but you sounded like 5000!  Next up we face Celtic Dragons at home on Saturday – you won’t want to miss it!