Narrikup 4 strengthened their chances of a top-two finish after knocking off ladder leaders Griffins 3

Narrikup 4 improved their chances of claiming a finals doubles chance in the Albany Netball Association A4 competition, after defeating Griffins 3 by three goals last Saturday.

Heading into the round 14 clash, Griffins sat on top of the ladder and it meant Narrikup would have a challenge on their hands.

However Narrikup prevailed 37-34 to notch their 10th win of the season and moved level on points with Griffins.

In the first quarter all guns were blazing for the Narrikup side.

Shooters Katrina Perich and Shayna Ptaka barely missed a goal against tall defenders Angelina De Giambattista and Adelaide Boetel.

The first quarter finished off closely with a goal difference, Griffins ahead 11-10.

Griffins wing defence Madeleine Byrne made some excellent intercepts down the court in the second term.

Her strong hands and defensive pressure gained some much-needed turnovers for Griffins.

However, it failed to stop Narrikup finding their flow in the second quarter as they scored 13 goals to seven to hold a five-goal margin at the main break.

Narrikup extended their lead to six goals going into the last quarter despite Griffins holding them well in the third stanza.

The final stanza needed to be the make or break quarter for Griffins but despite outscoring their opponents by three goals they went down.

Belinda Guy worked hard in the centre in the fourth term and provided her shooters with some excellent throws into the circle but it just wasn’t enough to get her side over the line in a very close and exciting game.

Cranbrook 1 unfortunately had to forfeit against Bullets 3 and Kangas 4 had a win against Kangas 3, 13-11.

The derby game was excellent to watch particularly for the Kangas 4 supporters.

Bullets jumped to the top of the ladder after their forfeit win and the Griffins loss.