ANA 2024: Bullets 1 remain in the top two after a resounding 24-goal victory over resilient Narrikup 1

A clinical Bullets 1 side thrashed Narrikup 1 by 24 goals in round nine of the Albany Netball Association A1 competition on Saturday, putting them two games clear of their weary opponents. With just two premiership points separating the pair heading into the match, second-placed Bullets were met with a resilient third-placed Narrikup side before powering to a 64-40. Bullets shooter Emily Gadean and Narrikup spearhead Te Paea Keremete traded blows in the first quarter as Bullets took a three-goal lead into the first change. Gadean scored 11 of her first 12 shots, while Keremete converted nine from 10 in the opening quarter in a good old-fashioned shootout at both ends of the floor. Bullets began to stamp their authority on the match in the second, led by goal defender Rachel Adams who launched numerous counterattacks from the back half with precise passing and instinctive intercepts. At the other end, Gadean continued to shoot freely with 14 straight goals and despite her goal-shooting partner Courtney Gardner scoring at 40 per cent, it was the pair’s relentless rebounding that gave them second and third looks at the hoop. Mid-court specialist Paris Wallinger went down with a nasty knee injury during the second quarter, meaning Rachel Adams shifted into the mid-court to fill the void. With a nine-goal buffer at the main break, Bullets continued to flex their muscles with a consummate 34-19 back half to blow the final margin out to 24 goals. Narrikup goal attack Kirstie Slater was prolific early with decisive passing and smart running patterns while Kleo Proudfoot toiled hard in the mid-court. Denmark Magpies 1 firmed their claim as a flag fancy alongside Bullets 1 with a dominant 47-goal victory over Griffins 1 and maintained their top spot on the ladder. The Magpies were unrelenting from the first whistle and launched to a 14-goal lead at the first break before extending the margin out to 26 at the main break, on their way to the 73-26 victory. Casey Greay and Ashlee Kerr combined for 20 goals in the opener before adding another 19 in the second, while their defenders held their opponents to just seven goals in each term. Royals Saints 1 handed Railways 1 a 19-goal defeat, on the back of a sublime first quarter where they pounded on 18 goals. Railways hit back in the third with a 17-11 run before the Saints walked away 58-39 winners. In the final game of the round, Kangas 1 smashed Bethel 1 by 28 goals courtesy of a scintillating second half to keep their hopes of a top-four finish alive. Kangas outscored their bottom-placed opponents 25-15 in the back half to set up their stunning 59-31 victory.