Thrilling start to Narrogin and Districts Netball Association season with Pingelly holding on in final seconds

After a long wait the Narrogin and Districts Netball Association season started last weekend and the A1 competition got off to a fantastic start.

Wickepin came up against reigning premiers Pingelly Panthers, and both players and coaches had plenty of nerves at the beginning.

In a fitting start to the season after the long absence, the match was decided in the final 10 seconds.

Wickepin won the first centre pass and when the whistle blew all players went out hard as some quick fluid passing helped Wickepin get on the board first.

Pingelly responded after a couple of great plays straight into the goal circle but it was not without a fight from the Wickepin defenders.

Wickepin took a narrow lead into quarter-time.

There was some clever plays from both teams in the second quarter using the mid-court to their advantage and with height and speed at both ends the contest was terrific.

Wickepin maintained their advantage in the second and third quarters and they went into the final period ahead by three goals.

A few costly Wickepin turnovers and conversions from Pingelly, levelled scores before the pair went goal for goal in the dying minutes of the fourth term.

With less than 10 seconds left Pingelly converted a turnover into a score and led by one goal.

Wickepin managed to get the ball into the goal circle but failed to convert in the last three seconds to hand Pingelly a thrilling 36-35 victory.

There were impressive intercepts made by Wickepin’s mid-court players and some great shooting in the front half from Pingelly.

In the other A1 fixture played on the weekend, Williams defeated Cuballing 56-53.

Wagin and Flames have not played their round one fixture.