Clinical Magpies secure third Albany Netball Association A1 title after overcoming strong Narrikup fightback

Magpies 1 secured their third Albany Netball Association A1 premiership in seven years after producing a superb final term to defeat Narrikup 1 in yesterday’s grand final at Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre. In what was a wonderful decider, Magpies had to withstand a major fightback from Narrikup in the third term before pulling away in the final quarter on their way to an 11-goal triumph over the last season’s premiers. Both sides were on fire offensively early and the first nine goal attempts were successful before Narrikup star Sheridan Kowald missed a shot midway through the first term. Magpies missed just one shot on goal in the first, as they overcame a nervous start to hold a one-goal advantage at quarter time. Brittany Finigan and Emma Holliday were outstanding in the second period as they helped Magpies skip out to a substantial lead. Holliday went into half time shooting at 100 per cent with 14 goals while Finigan added seven goals to help Magpies take a 28-20 buffer into half time. Narrikup had the first three goals of the third as Kowlad started to become more dangerous but the Narrikup defence simply couldn’t stop Emma Holliday and she had 19 goals from as many attempts as her side led by eight goals. Kristie Slater and Sian Lucas helped turn the momentum in centre court and their feeding into the circle resulted in Kowald catching fire. Kowald at one stage had five goals in a row as she hauled Narrikup back into the contest before fellow shooter Casey Greay put them in front late in the third. An 18-goal third quarter from Narrikup had the game on a knife’s edge going the final term as Magpies led by a single goal. Scores were level twice early in the fourth as the two sides traded goals but Magpies kept finding the answers in attack as they moved three goals and then pushed the advantage to five. In the defining moment of the game Magpies scored five successive goals, including two clutch finishes from Finigian, to open up a match-winning nine goal lead midway through the last term. Magpies finished 59-48 winners at the final whistle to win a third A1 premiership since 2015. Finigan deservedly won the Lucille Holt perpetual trophy as the fairest and best player in the grand final after her highly-influential display in attack. She was incredibly accurate, finishing with 27 goals from 30 attempts including 10 in the all-important fourth quarter. Emma Holliday was superb with 32 goals from 34 attempts while Amy Dominiak provided outstanding drive after quarter time and defensive duo Claire Holliday and Kylie Spencer helped nullify Narrikup’s shooters. Slater tried gallantly for Narrikup and was well supported by Greay and Lucas while Kowald was busy in the second half.