ANA 2023: Reigning premiers Royals Saints chalk up successive wins in A1 competition after edging out Magpies

Royals Saints 1 rattled off back-to-back wins in the Albany Netball Association A1 season, edging out Magpies 1 in round three on Saturday. The reigning premiers, who went undefeated in 2022, dropped points in round one but have rocketed back into form as they build towards their quest for a second flag in as many years. The side stormed to a 49-44 win over the previously undefeated Magpies, helping stamp their claim as a major contender. The shooting combination of Nardia Humphries and Charlotte Edwards capped off their strong build-up play at centre court adding 24 goals in a rampant second-half. Edwards had 19 goals by half-time with scores locked at 25-all. Humphries moved to goal attack and worked superbly as a creator as Charlotte Edwards piled on more scoring pressure as goal shooter. Charlotte Edwards buried 10 goals in the third term and despite Magpies’ Rani Rawlinson and Ashlee Kerr restricting the damage with a combined 11 goals at the other end, Royals Saints had all the answers. Rawlinson and Kerr sunk nine goals in the fourth quarter but Royals Saints’ Charlotte Edwards matched that output, draining nine goals to cap a terrific individual performance. Humphries’ three goals in a supporting role was enough to see Royals Saints storm to a memorable win. She finished on 13 goals while Charlotte Edwards scored 37 in an outstanding offensive display. Royals Saints’ Jorja Ward and Jemma Quintrell provided plenty of drive while Georgia Edwards and Sienna Hepworth were both solid as defenders for the winners. In the other round three fixtures, Bullets 1 edged out Griffins 1 by five goals with Emily Gadean netting 35 goals in their second win of the season. They outscored their opposition 22-17 in the final two quarters to finish 46-41 winners. Railways 1 also joined the winners’ list with a crushing 16-goal win over Kangas 1 to keep them without a victory in 2023. Despite a determine fightback in the third stanza which saw Kangas outscore their rivals 13-10, Railways piled on 11 goals to Kangas’ five in an outstanding finish.