ANA 2023: Finals hopes still alive for Kangas 1 after claiming big scalp of reigning premiers in round 12

A classy second half performance guided Kangas 1 to a vital win over ladder-leaders Royals Saints 1 in round 12 of the Albany Netball Association A1 competition on Saturday. Kangas sit in sixth place and are three points adrift of fourth-placed Magpies 1 as they look to secure a finals spot with two rounds left of the regular season. A 15-9 final term was enough to help a gallant Kangas outfit outlast the reigning premiers, handing the top side just their third loss of 2023. Both sides had trouble converting their early chances with shooters at both ends missing the first four attempts of the game. Goal shooter Rebecca Benson proved a handful for the Royals Saints defence, putting together a brilliant first half to help her side edge ahead 22-23 at the main break. Benson broke the drought with back-to-back goals and she had five more conversions before the end of the quarter to bring her side within a single goal. Summer Stirling buried five early goals to open the second period positively but Kangas were finding similar success at the other end with Benson and Angelina De Giambattista keeping busy in the goal circle. Kangas defender Narelle Humphries ensured the opposition were afforded no easy looks in transition, blocking two attempts in a five-minute period against her former side. However Royals Saints goal shooter Charlotte Edwards put in six of her side’s last seven goals in the late stages of the second term with the Kangas wresting back the lead. In a seesawing third period, Royals Saints snatched back the advantage and pushed ahead to a one-goal lead but it was a gutsy Kangas fourth quarter that determined the result. Meanwhile Magpies shored up their spot in the top four with a thrilling 39-37 victory over Narrikup 1. A 19-16 first half had the Magpies in the box seat and despite a persistent Narrikup charge in the second half, they fell short by two goals at the final whistle. Griffins 1 are yet to secure a win in the A1 competition after Railways 1 cruised to a 36-goal win against them to stay in touch of fourth spot. Railways and Kangas are on nine points, nipping at the heels of Narrikup and Magpies, who both have 12 points, ahead of an exciting final fortnight of the regular season.