ANA 2023: Magpies grind out gritty win over Kangas, Narrikup move top, Royals Saints 1 notch first win

Magpies 1 continued their winning start to the Albany Netball Association A1 season, grinding past a persistent Kangas 1 outfit in round two on Saturday. Both sides wrestled for ascendancy in the opening two quarters but it was a strong finish to the undefeated Magpies that earned them a second-straight win, 46-39. Goal shooter Ashlee Kerr netted seven of seven attempts in the first quarter, complemented by goal attack Amy Dominiak in the circle who chipped in with four goals. Kangas’ Rebecca Benson was lively in attack and she did the majority of the scoring for her side in the opening two quarters. With Abby Tysoe and Maddy Hines working overtime in mid-court, Benson and Angelina De Giambattista made use of the excellent supply, helping their side jump out to a 22-21 lead at half-time. However, Magpies captain Casey Greay worked in tandem with Kerr in the second-half to outscore their opposition 25-17. Needing to overcome a two-goal deficit in the final quarter, Kangas threw everything they had at the Magpies but ultimately were outscored 14-9 as they slumped to a second loss of 2023. Greay and Maggie Hardiman showed great leadership for the winners and they had plenty of help from a talented defensive cast in Megan Ross, Jayde McHenry and Lauren Bracewell. Royals Saints 1 scored a crushing 20-goal win over Bullets 1 in the second round. Royals Saints dominated the back end of the contest, piling on 37 second-half goals to run out 67-47 winners. In the final A1 fixture, Narrikup 1 recorded the biggest win of the round, trouncing Griffins 1 90-35. Having skipped out to a 30-goal advantage at half-time, the remainder of the match was much of the same with Griffins mustering only 18 in the second half. Rylee Davis and Daisy Stewart-Morgan were outstanding as the primary scorers as Narrikup moved clear on top of the ANA ladder by percentage.