Dominant display after quarter-time powers Narrikup to A2 premiership, ANA announces award winners

Narrikup 2 produced a dominant display after quarter-time on their way to a nine-goal victory in the Albany Netball Association A2 grand final on Saturday afternoon. Railways 2 were the first team into the decider after winning the qualifying final and started strongly in the first term. Led by shooter Tiarna Delli-Benedetti and midcourt pair Jorja Bevan and Kirsty Smith, Railways raced out to a three-goal quarter-time advantage. Narrikup won their elimination final and then the preliminary final to reach the grand final and clicked into action after the first break. Te Paea Keremete was swung to goal shooter in the second period to combine well with Erin Sproule as Narrikup powered back into the contest. Narrikup outscored their opponents 15 goals to eight in the second term to lead by four goals at half-time. Railways would not go away in the second half and trimmed the margin to a couple of goals on more than one occasion but Narrikup did not surrender. Narrikup pushed the margin out to six goals by three-quarter-time and added 12 goals in the last to seal the 45-36 premiership triumph. Sproule and Keremete were crucial in the goal circle for Narrikup, Tracey Hood worked tirelessly in centre court and defender Sara Banks also played well. Railways were best served by Smith and Delli-Benedetti but they fell short of A2 glory. In the A5 grand final, Magpies 4 claimed an impressive 11-goal grand final win over Cranbrook 1. The Magpies scored 27 goals in the second half on their way to victory, 41-30. The A6 grand final was a thrilling contest as Sonics won by a single goal over Royals Saints 4. Sonics led at quarter-time but Royals Saints hit back in the second and third and held a slender one-goal buffer at three-quarter-time. However, 12 goals in the fourth helped Sonics snatch victory, 41-40. In awards presented after the grand finals, Simona Damm and Latrice Porter were recognised as the ANA’s newest life members. The ANA announced its inaugural volunteer of the year award which went to the late Nicole Weeden and was presented to her family. The award will now be named in her honour. Devon Proudfoot was the junior umpire of the year and the Jamie Gowland award had joint winners, Daisy Stewart Morgan and Tiffany Butterworth. Tracy Tieney was the emerging coach of the year and Jean Davis was named coach of the year.