Powerful second half powers Railways to third straight win in Albany Netball Association A1 competition

A blistering second half helped Railways 1 notch their third successive victory in the 2022 Albany Netball Association A1 competition, breezing past Bethel 1 by 32 goals in round seven on Saturday. Railways were winless at the end of round four but have bounced back well, chalking up three consecutive victories against Kangas, Bullets and now Bethel to revive their season. On Saturday against Bethel, Railways played with relentless attacking drive, moving the ball swiftly through mid-court while shooting efficiently to set up their 66-34 win. Railways’ mid-court players Ksharna Coyne and Rowie Stewart worked tirelessly to set up the brilliant shooting combination of Amy De Goumois and Tayeesha Weeden in the first quarter and they led by six goals at the first change. However, Bethel clawed their way back into the contest in the second quarter with the clinical finishing of vice-captain Paige Simpson, who netted eight goals from as many attempts, but the margin still grew to eight goals at half-time. Star Railways goal shooter Jessica Rintoul (12 goals) was introduced in the second quarter, scoring five goals from 10 attempts in the second term and seven goals from 13 attempts in the third quarter. But it was De Goumois who proved the biggest problem for Bethel defenders as Railways overwhelmed their opposition in the third quarter. De Goumois sunk a phenomenal 13 of 14 goal attempts in the third as Railways went on a tear of eight unanswered goals to stretch their lead to 19 goals. Bethel’s Simpson and Jessica Leamon did their best to limit the scoreboard pressure, each notching three goals apiece in the third term but their side trailed by 22 goals at the last change. However Railways’ shooting combination finished strongly in the final quarter as De Goumois (33 goals) scored 11 goals from 12 attempts, including an outstanding off-balance goal while falling out of bounds. Defender Shelby Upson was among the best on court for Railways, intercepting Bethel’s passes inside their goal circle and denying the opposition shooters easy looks. In the other round seven games, top side Royals Saints 1 brushed aside bottom-of-the-ladder Bullets 1 by 19 goals. Bullets were encouraged as scores were level going into the first change but the Royals Saints outscored their opposition 43-24 for the remaining three quarters on their way to a 52-33 triumph, consolidating top spot on the A1 ladder. Meanwhile, Kangas 1 and Narrikup 1 fought out a thrilling draw with Kangas attackers Rebecca Benson and Lily Minter going goal-for-goal with Narrikup’s Daisy Stewart Morgan and Rylee Davis. Kangas held a slender one-goal advantage at half-time and scores were level at 41-all at the last change. Both sides battled for the ascendancy in the last quarter but they had to settle for a 53-all draw.