ANA 2024: Denmark Magpies fall short in preliminary final as Royals Saints keep three-peat hopes alive in A1

Reigning premiers Royals Saints 1 have set up a rousing 2024 Albany Netball Association A1 grand final rematch with Bullets 1 after bundling out Denmark Magpies 1 in straight sets with a dominant preliminary final victory on Saturday. The 13-goal victory was set up by Royals’ first quarter, with Jazelle Foggin netting a faultless string of 10 goals without a blink, then another five after two misses. The well-rehearsed side barely let the ball out of their hands for the Magpies to get a chance, though goalkeeper Natalie Simpson made them work for it, sticking to the shooters like glue. Royals held a significant 11-goal advantage by quarter-time, giving Magpies a task to chase them down. Magpies seemed to find their groove in the second quarter, with wing defender Ashlee Kerr popping up all over the court and goal shooter Brittany Finigan sneaking through the defence, the pint-sized duo helping their side get back in touch. Despite their energetic play, the Magpies still entered the third stanza trailing 28-15. Both teams upped the ante with some great intercepts performed by Magpies wing defender Lucia Edwards and an energetic Royals offence knocking Kerr to the floor more than once. With 13 goals each scored in the third, Royals held a comfortable 13-goal buffer going into the final quarter. Any observer of the last desperate 15 minutes would say the Magpies gave their all, but simply couldn’t match the precise manoeuvres executed by the Royals players. Royals goal defender Narelle Humphries swung into the goal circle at every opportunity to skim the ball from the attacking team, who remarkably powered through and netted another 13 goals. But Royals held their nerve with 13 goals at the other end, to eliminate the Magpies and keep their quest for a title three-peat alive with the 54-41 win. Royals will go on to fight it out with Bullets in Saturday’s grand final showdown.