Magpies make it two in a row ahead of testing period

Magpies 1 have made back-to-back wins, helping get their season back on track after a convincing 20-goal win over Narrikup 1 in round 5 of the Albany Netball Association A1 competition on Saturday afternoon.

Without a win as they entered round 4, Magpies have now beaten Bethel 1 and Narrikup but face a defining month ahead, with games against Grammar 1, Kangas 2 and defending premiers Royals Saints 1 to come.

With veteran Kelly Judd influential in centre court, Magpies led by a goal at quarter-time before outscoring Narrikup 16 goals to eight to open up a handy buffer by the main break.

Another productive quarter in the third had Magpies ahead by 13 goals as forwards Brittany Needs and Jessica Ross combined well.

Narrikup tried to pull the margin back in the final term, with Bree Dale and Kristie Slater working hard throughout, but they could only manage eight goals as they went down at the final whistle, 57-37.

Magpies scored 15 goals in the final stanza and were prolific in attack as they netted double figures in each quarter and now jump to third place on the ladder with five points to their name.

Meanwhile in the Kangas derby, Kangas 1 shook off a final quarter challenge from Kangas 2 to secure their third win of the season.

After an extremely tight opening half, Kangas 1 were finally able to break clear in the third quarter with 10 goals as they led by three at the last change.

Kangas 2 kept coming, however, as they threatened to cause an upset, but despite winning the final stanza by one goal, they fell short, 27-29. In the other round 5 fixture, Royals Saints produced a top defensive display as they restricted Bethel to just 17 goals for the match.

It was a fourth straight win for the ladder leaders, who cruised to a 49-17 triumph in the end.