Magpies winning streak continues after thrilling one-goal triumph

Magpies 1 have inflicted the first defeat on reigning premiers Royals Saints 1 this season, winning a thrilling round 8 Albany Netball Association A1 contest by a single point on Saturday afternoon.

In one of the best A1 games in recent seasons, just one goal separated the two sides at the final whistle to continue their strong recent history after Royals Saints’ double extra-time grand final triumph last season over the same opponent.

This time, however, Magpies were victorious as they continued their winning ways, holding off a gutsy second-half challenge from Royals Saints.

Magpies began well and led by six goals at quarter-time before a high-scoring second term pushed their advantage out even fur-ther.

Forward duo Brittany Needs and Jessica Ross were extremely accurate in front of goals and received constant supply from the ever-reliable Kelly Judd and youngster Jasmyne Jones in midcourt as Magpies outscored their rivals 18 goals to 13 in the second term.

But the 11-goal lead was quickly reduced as Royals Saints pressure lifted, with defenders Lisa Amess and Narelle Humphries stopping a number of chances, while the injection of Kayla Thomas at wing attack also had an effect.

Royals Saints netted 16 goals in a much-improved third term but they still trailed heading into the all-important final quarter.

Shooting combination Carly Szczecinski and Nardia Humphries shot well early in the fourth quarter to give Royals Saints plenty of spark but Magpies continued to respond.

Royals Saints added 15 goals in the desperate final term but Magpies managed 11 of their own to cling on to score an epic 53-52 victory.

The result handed Magpies a fifth straight win and firmly keeps their top-two aspirations alive.

In other round 8 matches, Kangas 1 came from four goals down at three-quarter time to defeat Grammar 1 in a big final term on Friday night.

Marcia Trevenen and Sascha Roberts combined for 14 goals in the fourth as Kangas finished winners, 39-37.

There was another close result on Saturday as Narrikup 1 kept their finals hopes alive with a two-goal win over Kangas 2, courtesy of a 21-goal first half.

Ten goals in the first term and another 11 in the second set up the 38-36 victory for Narrikup, who joined Kangas 2 with four points in the standings.