Magpies grind away to record third win

Magpies 1 made it three wins in a row after grinding past Railways from quarter-time onwards in their round five Albany Netball Association A1 fixture on Saturday afternoon.

The defending premiers have beaten Kangas 2 and Sonix in recent weeks and notched a third win of the 2019 season after a strong second half.

Railways were in control of the contest for much of the first half.

They led by two goals at quarter-time and opened up a five-goal margin in the second term as shooter Cass Cheetham found her range.

Magpies fought back strongly late in the term, however, as centre Rebecca Goodliffe gave forwards Caitlyn Wheatley and Brittany Needs lots of supply.

Wheatley netted six goals and Needs added five as Magpies drew level at 18-18 at half-time.

In the third term the Magpies were able to establish a four-goal buffer as they outscored the Tigers 12 goals to eight, with Needs missing just one of her eight attempts on goal.

Magpies all but ended any Railways hopes of a win as they scored the first three goals of the fourth stanza and maintained a comfortable advantage on their way to a 41-34 victory.

Goodliffe was superb in centre court and combined with the efforts of an on-target Needs.

The pair proved the difference in Magpies’ seven-goal win.

Needs shot at 78 per cent, netting a game-high 25 goals, and was well supported by Wheatley (16 goals from 24 attempts) while Goodliffe spent the entire match at centre and captain Claire Warburton was solid in defence.

The Tigers gave up plenty of turnovers, with their errors preventing constant circle feeds.

Hollee Siviour and Kiera Stephen worked overtime in defence, while Cheetham scored 22 goals at 73 per cent efficiency.

Shelby Upson was in attack for three quarters and added 10 goals and played well in the second term when pushed into centre court.

Royals Saints 1 finished comfortable winners over Kangas 2 on Friday night, 54-33, and in the other Saturday games Narrikup 1 and Sonix were successful.

Sonix and Grammar 1 played out an enthralling match, with Grammar holding a three-goal lead at three-quarter-time.

A 15-goal final term was enough to power Sonix to a thrilling single-goal victory, 51-50.

Narrikup ran out 46-37 winners against Kangas 1 to jump to second place on the ladder.