ANA 2023: Fast start helps Magpies start new season with a win, premiers go down and Bullets on the board

Magpies 1 started the new Albany Netball Association season strongly, downing Railways 1 by seven goals on Saturday. It was the first time teams played with the new rule of rolling substitutions during the game, the ANA implementing the change in A1 and A2 games this season. A hot start set up the victory as Magpies outscored their opponents 11 goals to six in the first term and they extended that margin to six goals by the main break after the strong work of shooting combination Ashlee Kerr and Casey Greay. Railways through centre Ksharna Coyne and wing attack Rowie Stewart got themselves back into the game in the third as they outscored their rivals by a single goal. The game was still up for grabs in the final term but the resilient Magpies’ defence of Lauren Bracewell and Jayde McHenry held firm, conceding only six goals. Greay and Kerr combined for eight goals at the other end, fed well by centre Amy Dominiak, as they finished winners 38-31. Narrikup 1 got some revenge for last year’s narrow grand final loss, downing reigning premiers Royals Saints 1 by 11 goals in the opening round. A goal in the final 30 seconds of the last season’s decider handed Royals Saints premiership glory but it was Narrikup who claimed the grand final rematch. Narrikup edged ahead after an evenly fought first quarter and by three-quarter time they led by seven goals. Experienced midcourt player Kristie Slater and wing attack Sian Lucas kept driving the ball forward in the final term with forwards Rylee Davis and Daisy Stewart-Morgan making the most of their opportunities. Narrikup scored 18 goals in the fourth term to seal the 59-48 triumph. In the final A1 fixture Bullets 1 were impressive 15-goal winners over Kangas 1. Bullets defensive combination of Rachel Adams and Claire Holliday conceded only 10 goals across the second and third quarters while at the other end Emily Gadean and Charlotte Boreham got to work. Kangas trailed by five goals at quarter time and Bullets dominated the second and third periods on their way to a resounding 42-27 win.