Royals Saints remain undefeated after dominant second and fourth quarters set up win over Kangas in A1 comp

Royals Saints 1 remain undefeated after three rounds of the 2022 Albany Netball Association A1 competition courtesy of a second-quarter blitz against Kangas 1 on Saturday. Kangas trailed at quarter-time but fought their way back into the game in the second period, getting within a single goal of Royals Saints. However, the composed Royals Saints outfit scored 10 consecutive goals to end the second term, which was the catalyst for their 22-goal triumph. The winners ran the game out strongly as they outscored their rivals 20 goals to nine in the fourth quarter on their way to a third straight victory of the season. Royals Saints netted five of the first six goals of the contest, and early on Kangas just stayed in touch thanks to the strong finishing of Sascha Roberts. Roberts had the first five Kangas goals, but her side settled as they trimmed the deficit to one. However, great work from Nardia Humphries up front along with defender Kathryn Jennings and Sophie Loveridge in centre court ensured Royals Saints led by three at quarter-time. Jennings was impeccable as goal keeper in the second, helping create multiple turnovers and the injection of captain Taylah Orzel in centre and the calm finishing from Humphries and Charlie Edwards in the goal circle proved the key in Royals Saints’ blitz. Leading by only a goal midway through the second, Royals Saints scored 10 unanswered goals heading into half-time as they dominated across the court to open up an 11-goal buffer. Humphries hit 14 goals from 24 attempts in the opening half and Charlie Edwards added 11 as their side got on top. Kangas lost Nicole Newton to injury late in the second term and tried gallantly to pull the deficit back in the third as they netted six goals through Roberts and Lily Minter. Jodi Ferry and Hayley Hulm worked hard in mid-court but Kangas went into the final break trailing by the same margin they did at half-time. Royals Saints, though, came away with a convincing 51-29 win after their clinical fourth quarter, with Charlie Edwards and Humphries cashing in on the great work up the court by youngster Jorja Ward and Orzel. Jennings was rock-solid in defence and Orzel had plenty of influence after sitting on the bench in the first quarter. Kangas were well led by Hulm, who worked tirelessly across four quarters, while Roberts and Ferry were also impressive. The other two round-three fixtures were affected by COVID-19 and were postponed.