ANA 2024: Royals Saints dreams for premiership three-peat kept alive after one-goal win against Narrikup

Defending premiers Royals Saints 1 kept their hopes of a premiership three-peat alive with a pulsating one-goal win over Narrikup 1 in a gripping Albany Netball Association A1 elimination final on Saturday. Little separated the two teams throughout the entire clash but a 17-goal third quarter helped the Saints overcome a one-goal half time deficit and advance to this Saturday’s preliminary final. They were led superbly by goal shooter Jazelle Foggin, who was telling in the offensive goal circle, netting 13 third-quarter goals on 72 per cent shooting as the Saints emerged 60-59 winners and brought Narrikup’s season to an abrupt end. An energetic Demi Mortimer in wing attack fronted their offence, slicing through Narrikup’s defence like butter and goal keeper Narelle Humphries came to life on the other end of the floor. In a match littered with lead changes, both sides were neck-and-neck for the entire contest. The Saints were leading by two at the first whistle, thanks in part to the zippy efforts of Sophie Loveridge at centre and a flawless five-goal run from Foggin in the last few minutes. The second quarter had Narrikup edge out the Saints with 16 goals to take a 29-28 lead into the main break. Dead-eye goal shooter Te Paea Keremete shone for Narrikup, standing tall in the goal circle netting shot after shot, including a cascade of 10 consecutive goals for her side. Maddi Miller provided rebounding intercepts across the defensive third but Narrikup couldn’t quite get a foothold ahead going into the fourth quarter. An even raft of 15 goals from both sides in the final quarter kept the Saints in front as they kept their title hopes alive. Royals Saints will now square off with Denmark Magpies 1 in the preliminary final after Bullets 1 downed the Magpies 43-35 in the qualifying final on Saturday.