Impressive 14-goal win has Kangas 1 just one win away from securing finals berth in ANA A1 competition

Kangas 1 need one win from their final two games to secure a finals berth after an impressive 14-goal win over Magpies 1 in round 13 of the Albany Netball Association A1 competition on Saturday. The result also had major implications for Magpies in their bid to finish in the top two and secure a finals double chance. Magpies remain in second spot but are just one point ahead of the third-placed Narrikup 1, who have two matches left to play, while the Pies have the bye in the final round of the regular season. A dominant first half helped Kangas record their fifth win of the season to move three points clear in fourth place. However, both Kangas and the fifth-placed Railways 1 have two games to play, leaving the battle for fourth still open. Kangas netted 18 goals in a prolific first quarter against Magpies on Saturday to hold a seven-goal advantage. That margin grew to 12 by half-time and Kangas did not falter from there, going on to win 53-39. Shooters Rebecca Benson and Lily Minter were superb in the opening half, capping off the strong work of mid-court duo Hayley Hulm and Jodi Ferry. Magpies fought back in the third with 11 goals but the absence of Brittany Finigan was telling and they were held to only six goals in the final term as Kangas defenders Isabella De Giambattista and Hannah Mackay applied strong pressure. Kangas have a game to make up against Railways and then face Narrikup in the final round, with one win from those two matches stitching up a top-four spot. Railways kept their finals hopes alive with a 30-goal win in the other round 13 match on Saturday. They scored 17 goals in the first and last quarters on their way to a crushing 61-31 win over Bullets 1. Shooting combination Amy De Goumois and Jessica Rintoul led the way in the opening stanza, while Railways’ defensive pairing of Shelby Upson and Kiera Trevenen limited Bullets to only 11 goals in the second half. The match between Narrikup and Royals Saints 1 was rescheduled.