ANA 2023: Kangas shake off persistent Griffins, Narrikup outclass Railways and Bullets win one-goal thriller

Kangas 1 shook off a strong challenge from Griffins 1 to record their second win of the Albany Netball Association A1 competition on Saturday afternoon. Both sides grappled for control in the opening half and Griffins scored the last two goals of the second quarter to trail by only one goal at half-time. However a 16-goal third term helped Kangas gain the ascendancy and from there they went on to win by nine goals. Griffins through talented shooter Kasey Warren were able to take a slender one-goal advantage into quarter-time. Warren was on fire in the goal circle as she combined with Ellen Smith to net 14 goals in the first while teammate Marcelle Cannon was working hard in mid-court. Kangas hit the front early in the second as they scored the first four goals and the two sides traded goals for much of the second. Griffins had more chances, with Warren and Smith a little wayward, while at the other end Rebecca Benson and Angelina De Giambattista were near perfect. Benson missed only one shot to finish with 10 goals for the second term while De Giambattista hit five goals from five attempts. Kangas extended their one-goal buffer to seven by the last change and they won the final term as well. Benson remained a constant threat in attack while Jazelle Foggin, who had been influential at wing attack, was swung forward for the second half as Kangas finished winners 56-47. Hayley Hulm provided great drive at centre while defensive pairing Georgia Clark and Isabella De Giambattista held Griffins to 20 goals in the second half. Warren was outstanding in attack for Griffins and was well supported by Cannon and wing defender Jennelle Marwick. Narrikup 1 were too strong for Railways 1 in their round six fixture, set up by an 18-goal second term. Rylee Davis and Daisy Stewart-Morgan fired in the second term as they combined for 18 goals to hand Narrikup control. Railways had worked hard in the opening term and trailed by a single goal but they never recovered after the second quarter onslaught and went down by 11 goals. Bullets 1 were thrilling one-goal winners in the other A1 match, edging out Magpies 1. It was a fourth win of the season for Bullets who sit second on the ladder and share eight points with ladder leaders Narrikup.