Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic's perfect start to the season takes on an extra edge against a desperate Central Pulse in Hamilton tonight.

Magic goal attack Ellen Halpenny lines up a shot against the Canterbury Tactix last season.

Looking to keep a clean sheet heading into their bye round the Magic must first negotiate the potentially tricky obstacle of a Pulse side intent on resurrecting their season.

Heavily favoured pre-season to make the play-offs for the first time this year, the Pulse have stumbled to successive losses in the last two weeks and will be hungry for a positive result to keep them in the hunt.

'They will be desperate to prove they're a better side than the last couple of weeks and it will make them a much more hardened team when they take us on,” says Magic coach Julie Fitzgerald.

'They won't want to drop three in a row. They certainly are title contenders, so they won't want to be reliant on other results at the end of the year to get in.”

She feels the Pulse are a quality side boasting a number of internationals across the court meaning the Magic must not under-estimate that power of talent.

In a match with a lot at stake, the Waikato/Bay of Plenty team nailed a fifth straight win against the West Coast Fever, impressively overcoming a stuttering start with a powerful recovery and decisive 17-goal win.

Surprising many with their efficient and accurate manner during the opening five rounds, Fitzgerald says there have been no problems in keeping her sides feet firmly planted.

'We made a point at the beginning of the year where our focus was just game-by-game.

'In some ways we did that at the time because we wanted to see ourselves develop each week. We have got off to a good start but that focus has also helped to keep us grounded; we're very well aware of the fact that there's a long way to go.”

The team has delivered all the coach could ask for with improving efforts each week but they are still far from a done deal, believes Fitzgerald.

'I'm pleased with our intensity.

'I thought the last couple of minutes against Fever when the game was well and truly won, we were still fighting for goals and fighting for the ball. I really admire that level of intensity but in terms of consistency across four quarters, we're certainly not there yet.

'I think our through-court attack is improving but there's a bit of work around the circle that we can lift and a coach always finds little things that we want to do better.”

For differing reasons, the much-anticipated all-Kiwi clash looms as compelling viewing in a key showdown for both teams in regards to their respective seasons.

'We want to make our home games in Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua a fortress and we would dearly love to go into the bye without a loss.”