ANA 2024: Weeden-inspired Kangas thwart spirited Railways, Bullets clinch grand final rematch in A1 return

Kangas 1 welcomed back the 2024 Albany Netball Association A1 season with a stunning two-goal victory over a spirited Railways 1 side on Saturday afternoon. The last quarter was littered with lead changes as both sides grappled for superiority late in the fixture but Kangas’ shooter Shanaya Weeden was deadeye from the field, finishing with a game-high 34 points to steer her side to victory. When Kaitlyn Bradley handed Kangas a late three-point lead before Weeden converted from their continued possession, the lead was too much for Railways to reel in. Weeden was instrumental for the Kangas when the game was on the line with 20 of her 34 points coming in the second half of their 43-41 victory. She was assisted by Bradley who scored 21 points with 10 coming in the third. Kangas were clinical early and made Railways pay for early clumsiness and unforced errors while transitioning the ball and entered the first change six points up. Railways hit back in the second led by staunch defence, while talented goal attack Kasey Warren netted five second-quarter goals. They held their opponents to just three second-quarter points while piling on 10 goals themselves to take a one-goal lead into the main break. Weeden was on fire after half-time scoring 10 goals — including a stretch of five straight — to wrest back the lead from her opponents heading into the last. Kangas skipper Hayley Hulm was industrious at centre with a brief stint at wing attack while Bronte Joy competed hard at goalkeeper all game. Warren was clinical off the bench for Railways finishing with 18 goals and Ruby Steele showed her versatility across the court at centre, wing attack and wing defence. Railways were dealt a severe blow when goalkeeper Janie Smith limped off with an ankle injury midway through the second and did not return. A determined Bullets 1 side got their retribution over their 2023 grand final superiors with a thrilling one-point win over Royals Saints 1. Bullets trailled at every break and were down three points at three-quarter time before they snatched back the lead with a 7-1 run at the start of the quarter. They both traded goals for the remainder of the term before Bullets held on for a terrific win. Royals Saints led by as much as eight points midway through the second but could not put away the persistent Bullets. Narrikup 1 flexed their muscles in the opening fixture against Griffins 1, storming to a commanding 37-point triumph while Denmark Magpies 1 were the biggest winners of the round with a 58-18 victory.