ANA 2024: Te Paea Keremete leads Narrikup 1 to fourth successive win in triumph over determined Griffins 1

Narrikup 1 outlasted a spirited Griffins 1 on Saturday to notch their fourth successive victory and keep their finger on the pulse of the top two in the Albany Netball Association A1 competition. A revitalised Griffins were up to the challenge in the opening half before the class and the polish of Narrikup proved the difference in their 51-37 win Versatile tall Te Paea Keremete was enormous at both ends of the floor, with sniper-like shooting at one end and staunch defence at the other. She was sublime in the opening half with seven goals from eight shots in the first quarter before rotating into goal keeper in the second to sure up their defence. Narrikup led by just one goal at the first break before extending their lead to five goals at the half. Keremete returned to the offensive goal circle in the second half unfazed by athletic goal keeper Danielle Carne as opposition, shooting lights out to finish with 18 second-half goals on 91 per cent shooting. Narrikup’s lead grew to seven heading into the final quarter before their scintillating last quarter blew the game out to a 14-goal margin. Kristie Slater and Erin Miller were industrious while rotating into the attacking goal circle for Narrikup, and Kleo Proudfoot and Sarah Horgan were brilliant through mid-court. Griffins’ Brooke Pearson was instrumental after shifting to goal shooter, following an injury to Jessamy Law Davis in the opener, with piercing passing giving shooter Ava Marmion good looks at the basket. Griffins were served well by Marmion’s prolific shooting and were buoyed by the hard-running Tiffany Butterworth. Bullets 1 secured their second straight win over their grand final superiors this season by defeating Royals Saints 1 by four goals. After trailing by three goals at the first break and then one goal at half time, Bullets began to recapture their offensive rhythm in the second half to set up the 53-49 triumph. Bullets shooting duo Emily Gadean and Courtney Gardner were huge in the second half while Jo-anne Scott and Paris Wallinger operated the middle court soundly. In the absence of Royals sharpshooter Jazelle Foggin, Rebecca Goodliffe was tasked with patterning Summer Stirling in the shooting posts. Railways 1 secured a much-needed victory against Kangas 1 after being deducted their previous two wins this season for playing an unregistered player, significantly denting their finals hopes. Their 41-36 victory in round eight over Kangas is their first official win after the recent penalty. Railways led by nine goals at the final change before a late surge from Kangas reduced the final margin to just five goals. Kasey Warren and Lexie Hooper were Railways’ main avenues to the basket while Ksharna Coyne and Ruby Steele relentlessly ran through the middle court. Kangas’ Keely Berry had her hands full at goal defence and was aided by Sophie Panizza who had jobs at both ends of the court. Denmark Magpies 1 thumped Bethel 1 to make it three wins on the trot and maintain top spot on the ladder. Their resounding 59-20 victory puts them more than 30 per cent clear of second-placed Bullets who share the same 7-1 record. Their dominant 39-goal victory was highlighted by a sensational second term where they deposited 21 goals while holding their weary opponents to just one. Casey Greay and Ashlee Kerr had a field day in the offensive goal circle while Lauren Bracewell and Natalie Simpson were pillars in defence.