ANA 2024: Second-half surge from Bullets keeps perfect record, Denmark Magpies and Kangas remain undefeated

Bullets 1 made it two wins on the trot to begin their 2024 Albany Netball Association A-grade campaign with an eight-point win over a spirited Narrikup 1 side on Saturday. A strong second half from last year’s grand finalists, in which they outscored their opposition by seven points, spurred them on to a 54-46 win. After taking a two-point lead through the opening quarter, a determined Narrikup wrested back momentum taking the second term by a point and cutting the half-time margin to just one goal. But when Tiarna Wallinger firmed up Bullets’ backline after being subbed on at half-time into goal defence and Jo-anne Scott switched from wing attack to goal attack sparking a different look going forward, they took a four-goal lead into the final stanza. Bullets’ class shone through late and they extended their advantage with a strong finish to the game. Emily Gadean played out the entire game in the forward half rotating between both goal-scoring positions while Lauren Lehmann operated the centre role well for most of the game. Kangas 1 also remains undefeated through the opening two rounds of the season after cruising to a 38-point victory over a winless Bethel 1 outfit. Kangas were staunch in defence led by Sophie Panizza and Brontee Joy who rotated between both key defensive positions in their 60-22 triumph. Bethel’s highest-scoring quarter was the second with eight points, while Kangas’ star shooting duo Shanaya Weeden and Kaitlyn Bradley piled on the pain at the other end with at least 13 points scored in each term. Denmark Magpies 1 is the other undefeated team this season after adding the scalp of Griffins 1 to their tally on Saturday behind a sensational third quarter. After entering the main break with a 14-point advantage, an unforgiving Magpies side were relentless after the main break scoring 21 goals in the third through dead-eye shooters Casey Greay and Brittany Finigan on their way to a 63-30 win. The gutsy Griffins 1 side fought back late making the final score slightly more respectable with a 12-11 last quarter. Both Royals 1 and Railways 1 were chasing their first win of the season, but it was the former who ran away 18-point victors. Royals launched out of the blocks in their 55-37 triumph with a 14-6 run in the opener before Railways pegged back the deficit to just six points at the half. Royals’ shooters Jazelle Foggin and Summer Stirling went to work in the third and blew the game open scoring 17 goals and powering their team to a 15-point three-quarter-time lead.