Pulse pull off surprise win

It's no Anna Harrison lift, but the Central Pulse have pulled out a surprise of their own to upset the competition-leading Adelaide Thunderbirds in their ANZ Championship match in Wellington.

The Pulse, sitting second-to-last on the ladder going into the game, have won 47-46 in Wellington.

The Pulse trailed 21-20 at half time, but snatched the lead in the third quarter and held on in the tense final stages to snatch victory with the final act of the game.

Captain Katrina Grant insists while it may shock many, they knew they could win.

"I think we've been expecting this performance for a while now, it's really good to consolidate our starting seven and get the links and partnerships right," she says.

"I think we surprised the Thunderbirds as well coming out there with a line up no-one's seen before."

Regular defensive midcourter Joline Henry donned the centre bib to help the Pulse to a shock 47-46 win over the competition leaders.

Grant says while there was an element of risk, they were confident Henry would do the job.

"She's been playing centre at Ferns in practice games so we knew she could do it and she put her hand up, said 'I can do this and I'll do if for you guys' and I think having (Katarina Cooper) there at wing defence really helped as well."

She says this signals them as a team capable of beating anyone.

"Pretty proud of the girls and happy that we finally put four quarters together and we've come along, I know how we should've started the season but hey, we're still only halfway, we can do a lot more damage as we go along."

Grant says next Monday's game against the Southern Steel presents a genuine opportunity to threaten the top four.

"I'm really excited about next week and if we can step up and push on through that game then I think we've turned a corner and challenge a lot more other teams."

The Pulse's third win of the season has taken them to seventh on the ladder.

The Thunderbirds remain top but only on percentages ahead of the Vixens and Mystics.

Photo: Central Pulse's Camilla Lees (PhotoSport)