Magpies snatch fourth in last round

Defending premiers Magpies 1 have snatched fourth place and a finals berth at the very last opportunity, hanging on to beat a fast-finishing Kangas 1 side in round 14 of the Albany Netball Association A1 competition on Saturday.

Three teams were fighting for fourth place heading into the last round of the regular season and after Sonix, who were fourth at the beginning of the weekend, lost the race became wide open.

Magpies knew a win would put them in the hunt to play finals and a 16-goal second quarter provided that opportunity as they opened up a nine-goal advantage by half-time and from there finished eight-goal winners.

Centre Rebecca Goodliffe worked tirelessly and was well supported by Ashleigh Crock as Magpies increased the deficit with another productive quarter.

With Brittany Needs and Natalie Hutchinson in the attacking circle, Magpies added 12 goals in the third quarter and turned for home with a handy 12-goal buffer.

Kangas saved themselves for one last crack at a chance to end their season with a win, storming back into the contest in the fourth but ultimately they fell short by eight goals.

With several regulars missing, Kangas outscored their opponents 16-12 in final stanza, as they went down fighting.

The versatile Nicole Newton went to centre and had a strong influence while Alyssa Ward and Marcia Trevenen made the most of the feeds from wing attack Maddy Hines.

Magpies prevailed in the end, the 54-46 result enough to lift them inside the top four at the expense of Sonix.

Grammar 1 missed their chance to join Magpies on 14 points which would have meant percentage would determine who finished fourth.

Up against Narrikup 1, Grammar were left to rue a slow start as their opponents led 14-5 at quarter-time and never looked back.

Narrikup added another 14 goals in the third term and won comfortably in the end, 52-34.

The result ensured Narrikup finished second on the ladder and secured a finals double chance, edging out Railways by percentage.

Railways did their best to make up the percentage difference between themselves and Narrikup, thrashing Kangas 2 by 49 goals but they stayed in third place.

On Friday night Royals Saints 1 marched into the finals with a convincing 18-goal win over Sonix.