Led by the relentless defensive pressure from Madison Thomas, the Central Manawa finished strongly to net their third straight win in the 2023 Synergy Hair Netball League.
The four-time defending champions produced two commanding quarters to overcome the Robinhood Comets 52-38 at Pulman Arena in Papakura.
Manawa dominated the second and fourth quarters for the victory with goal keeper Thomas a stand-out grabbing 10 gains for her side throughout the full 60 minutes.
But Manawa were forced to dig deep against a Comets side which rallied a number of times to stay within grasp of the visitors – winning the first and third quarters by two goals.
Thomas and her defensive partner in the fourth quarter, Rachel Price, nabbed five gains between them, during the last spell to help put the game beyond the Comets reach – Manawa finishing in control with a 13-4 scoreline.
Schoolgirl shooter Phoenix Schwalger was again a calming influence in the circle for Manawa and her 90 per cent accuracy proving the difference.
Coach Ngarama Milner-Olsen had earlier called on ANZ Premiership defender Parris Mason who teamed up with Thomas to produce a tough defensive wall while the injection of Ainsleyana Puleiata, another Pulse player, into the midcourt made an immediate impact for Manawa.
Comets coach Michelle Parsons also called on Premiership player Lisa Putt for the opening spell, the defender making the most of her minutes on court while at the other end goal shooter Jaelin Tulikaki made an impact in the circle and Tori Kolose directed play from the middle.
But it was the combination of Mason and Thomas which was a stand-out in the opening stages of the game as the Comets were made to work hard for every ball into the circle.
Once possession fell into the hands of Tulikaki, the shooter had little trouble finishing off netting nine goals in the first quarter.
Both sides showed early discipline with their ball possession, measured passes and patience in the early stages of the opening spell.
The Comets superior accuracy in the shooting circle was the main difference in the first quarter as a four-goal run helped the hosts to edged ahead 13-11 at the break.
But it was Manawa which started the stronger of the two teams on the resumption of play with two straight goals to level the scores, the inclusion of Puleiata adding a spark.
The centre was vocal with her injection into match, showing her speed and drive to the circle edge. Puleiata combined well with wing attack Salote Taufa as the visitors built on their confident start to lead by three goals mid-way through the stanza.
They extended the lead to five goals before Parsons made changes at either end with Tulikaki making way for Valu Toutaiolepo who switched from the defensive end into the shooting circle, while Khanye-Lii Munro-Nanoa came on at goal defence.
Trailing 21-28 at halftime, the Comets when to their bench again with Maria Tatupu coming on at goal keeper and Marcia Jerram at centre. Manawa also made a change to their defensive line with Price sliding across from the wing to replace Mason and Charity Polu joining the mix at wing defence.
A flurry of goals immediately after the break gave the visitors some hope, but Manawa adjusted to the personnel changes and were quick re-establish their seven-goal buffer. The arm-wrestle continued to the dying stages of the third term however as the Comets pushed hard to close the gap to five goals, trailing 34-39 with 15 minutes to play.