ANA 2023: Strong win in round 13 helps Narrikup 1 seal finals berth in A1 comp, Kangas remain a finals hope

Narrikup 1 sealed a finals berth in the Albany Netball Association A1 competition, cruising to a 13-goal win over Railways 1 in round 13 on Saturday. Led by prolific goal shooter Rylee Davis, last season’s grand finalists led at every change to record their seventh win of the season over a persistent Railways side. Davis was a prime mover in the goal circle, burying 10 of her 12 attempts in the first quarter to help open a 12-9 lead at the first change. Kristie Slater worked in tandem with teammates Sian Lucas and Daisy Stewart Morgan in the front half, the work of Stewart-Morgan and Davis telling in the final result. Stewart Morgan nailed seven conversions in the second term and despite the persistence of Railways shooter Tayeesha Weeden at the other end, the deficit only grew. The margin had ballooned to 13 goals by three-quarter-time and Narrikup were well on their way to a commanding 50-37 triumph. Railways fought hard in the last term, converting 12 goals in a strong finish, but they simply couldn’t quell the attacking prowess of Narrikup in transition. Erin Miller was a pillar of strength in defence for Narrikup across the four quarters along with Laura Tugwell who also battled hard. Railways’ Ksharna Coyne provided plenty of drive through mid-court for the losing side while Kimberley Williams and Ella Scamozzi also tried hard. Their slim hopes of finals were ended as a result of the loss, drifting three points behind Magpies 1 who are currently in fourth. Bullets 1 strengthened their claims of securing a finals double chance with a comfortable 19-goal win over Magpies. A 17-goal third stanza powered Bullets to an eighth win of their campaign, needing just one win to seal a qualifying final spot with one round left. Magpies trailed by 20 goals at the last change and despite winning the final quarter by one goal, they lost their sixth game of 2023. Griffins 1 remain without a win after Kangas 1 surged to a 32-goal triumph in the penultimate round. Kangas skipped out to a 29-14 advantage at half-time before a 12-9 third term pushed them 18 goals ahead. An emphatic 18-4 fourth quarter guided Kangas to a 59-27 win. Kangas can sneak into finals if they defeat Narrikup this week given the fourth-placed Magpies have the bye in the last round.