Terrific third quarter helps Magpies seal third straight win in Albany Netball Association A1 competition

Reigning premiers Magpies 1 are starting to build momentum in their 2022 campaign, recording a third straight win in the Albany Netball Association A1 competition on Saturday. The Magpies shook off a persistent Kangas 1 outfit in their round six encounter, the win lifting them to second on the ladder behind early pacesetters Royals Saints 1. Scores were level after an enthralling first half but the Magpies produced an inspired third term, netting 15 goals to seven on their way to an eight-goal triumph. A strong shooting combination of Brittany Finigan and Emma Holliday capped off the strong work up the court as they added 15 goals in a dominant third stanza, powering the Magpies to an eight-goal lead. Both sides scored 12 goals in the fourth term but the damage was done in the third, with the Magpies finishing 49-41 winners. Magpies defenders Claire Holliday and Kylie Spencer did a terrific job after a shaky start, helping restrict the Kangas to only seven goals in the third quarter. After the game went goal for goal early on, the Magpies took the advantage on the back of slick work from Finigan in the goal circle. She missed her third attempt in the opening term but finished with nine goals from 10 attempts while Emma Holliday hit seven goals from as many attempts to guide the Magpies to a six-goal lead. The Kangas fought their way back into the contest and had the first four goals of the second term. Lily Minter made it a one-goal buffer late in the quarter and then teammate Rebecca Benson added her ninth goal of the second to level the scores. Finigan fired a shot on the half time whistle and was on target, only to be disallowed by the umpire to leave the sides locked at 22-all. However the Magpies were far too strong in the second half with Finigan (14 first-half goals) ever impressive again along with Emma and Claire Holliday while Maggie Hardiman worked hard in mid-court. Captain Hannah Mackay battled hard in defence for the Kangas and Jodi Ferry provided plenty of drive. Benson caused plenty of problems for the Magpies defence, scoring six goals in the first term and then added nine from 18 attempts in the second quarter. In the other round six games, Railways 1 notched their second win of the season after overcoming Bullets 1 by 15 goals. Railways had a red-hot start to the contest, piling on 21 goals in a rampant opening term while holding Bullets to just three goals at the other end. Bullets never recovered from their poor start and despite outscoring their rivals 14-8 in the final term they still remain winless. Railways finished 52-37 winners at the final whistle and jumped to fourth on the standings after six rounds as a result. Royals Saints 1 stretched their winning streak to five games, downing Narrikup 1 by 20 goals. By half-time Royals Saints had already opened up an 11-goal margin and they added 18 goals in the third to put the result beyond doubt, winning 64-44.