Bethel claim thrilling one-goal win over Bullets to stay in the hunt for a finals berth in ANA A1 competition

Bethel 1 produced a terrific final term to keep their finals hopes alive, edging out Bullets 1 by a single goal in a thrilling finish to their round nine Albany Netball Association A1 competition on Saturday. Trailing by four goals at three-quarter-time, a determined Bethel outfit scored 14 goals in a frenetic last term to snatch their second win of the season. Shooters Lexi Hooper and Paige Simpson came up with the goods as they netted eight and six goals respectively to lead Bethel to a one-goal triumph at the final whistle. With Charlotte Luscombe working overtime in centre court and Janelle Clay also providing plenty of drive, Bethel were able to wrestle back control on their way to a tense 46-45 result. Bullets dominated the opening half as Lauren Lehmann and Kylie Scott worked well in mid-court. Defenders Grace Sandells and Larissa Oliver put plenty of pressure on their opponents in the circle as Bullets extended a five-goal advantage at quarter-time into a nine-goal buffer by half-time. Bethel fought back in the third as they outscored their opponents 15 goals to 10 but it was the all-important final quarter that changed the outcome of the game. Simpson finished with 26 goals in an efficient display while Hooper was a strong support act with 20 goals. For Bullets, Charlotte Boreham netted 24 goals and fellow forward Jo Scott added 21 but their side suffered an eighth defeat of the season. The result lifted Bethel to four points, only three adrift of the fourth-placed Kangas 1 with five rounds left in the regular season. In the other round nine matches Royals Saints 1 remain unbeaten after a tight five-goal victory over Magpies 1. Royals Saints led at every change but Magpies fought back strongly in the second half and trimmed the deficit to five goals at three-quarter-time. However, both teams netted 12 goals in the final stanza as Royals Saints extended their winning streak to eight games with a 51-46 triumph. Narrikup 1 moved into second spot after a commanding 20-goal win over Railways 1. Railways trailed by a single goal at quarter-time but Narrikup were prolific in the second term as they netted 19 goals to set up their fifth win of the season, 58-38.