Red-hot premiers on fire to sink Royals

Royals Saints 1 suffered their first loss of the season, losing heavily to defending premiers Kangas 1 in round 8 of the Albany Netball Association A1 competition on Saturday afternoon.

The two sides that played off in last year’s grand final, met for the second time in 2017 but the result was far different from the 12-goal win Royals Saints scored in that round 1 encounter.

Missing twin sisters Nardia and Narelle Humphries along with defensive linchpin Lisa Amess, Royals Saints struggled against the slick, accurate Kangas outfit.

Kangas, buoyed by the inclusion of premiership player and fairest and best in last year’s grand final Kym Quartermaine, began strongly to lead by six goals at quarter-time. Again, Kangas were more polished with their ball movement in the second period, Kate Minter combining well with Quartermaine in mid-court as Kangas extended the margin to nine goals by half-time.

Any hope of a Royals Saints comeback was quickly snuffed out in the third term as Kangas added 17 more goals with shooting combination Marcia Trevenen and Kirsty Smith working beautifully in the circle.

Kangas outscored their opponents 17 goals to six in the third and continued that form in the last, winning every quarter on the way to a convincing 21-goal win.

Trevenen and Smith were terrific in the 49-28 win as they finished off the good work from further up the court, while experienced duo Minter and Quartermaine showed their class.

The win puts Kangas within a point of Royals Saints at the top of the ladder with six rounds of the regular season remaining.

Royals Saints coach Chrissie Smith said she was proud of the effort her young side had produced against a strong and experienced Kangas outfit.

In the other fixtures, Magpies 1 were able to overcome a gallant Kangas 2 outfit in the second half to notch their fifth win of the season. Magpies ran out winners, 44-33, to remain in touch with the top two on the ladder.

In Friday night’s game, Grammar 1 consolidated their position inside the top four with a seven-goal win over Narrikup 1. The 34-27 victory helps Grammar skip five points clear of their nearest rival Kangas 2 in fourth spot.