Bethel on the board in A1 competition after gritty victory over Bullets in second round

Bethel 1 notched their first win of the 2022 Albany Netball Association A1 competition, overcoming a sluggish start to defeat Bullets 1 on Saturday afternoon. Coming off a comprehensive round one defeat, Bethel were slow to get going in their clash with Bullets and trailed by three goals at quarter-time. Bethel however turned things around in the second term as they netted 13 goals to Bullets nine and took a one-goal advantage into half-time. In the third Bethel edged further ahead after a 15-goal term, 10 of which came via goal attack Lexi Hooper. Both sides scored 15 goals in a free-flowing final term but Bethel maintained their advantage, recording a four-goal win in the end. The injection of Hannah Wesson in centre in the second term gave Bethel vital drive from midcourt while captain Nicole Shephard and Montana Hooper were terrific in defence. Brodie Dixon finished with 23 goals in Bethel’s 52-48 victory while Lexi Hooper netted 29 goals from 46 attempts. The pair were on fire in the third term as they missed just six combined attempts on goal, helping stretch their lead. Isabelle McTaggart worked hard across three quarters and the experienced Brooke Pearson was also important in Bethel’s victory. Montana Baker and Lauren Lehmann won plenty of possession in midcourt for Bullets and young forward Emily Gadean was prolific as goal shooter, hitting 37 goals from 45 attempts. Defending premiers Magpies 1 went down to Royals Saints 1 in their round two fixture, as the latter hit 17 final-quarter goals. Magpies trailed by only two goals at half-time and both sides went blow for blow in the third, leaving the result up in the air at three-quarter-time. However, Royals Saints outscored their rivals 17-11 in the final term on their way to an eight-goal triumph to make it two wins to start the new season. Nardia Humphries and Summer Stirling were key contributors in the goal circle while Jorja Ward and Taylah Orzel provided plenty of drive in the 62-54 win. In the other round two match, Narrikup 1 started strongly with 14 goals in the first quarter to set up their 13-goal win over Railways 1. Narrikup led by five goals at half-time and skipped clear by eight at three-quarter-time before finishing victors, 55-42.