Royals Saints fight back to reclaim top spot

Grammar 1 have squandered an ideal opportunity to cement a finals berth, coughing up a half-time lead in their round 10 Albany Netball Association A1 clash with reigning premiers Royals Saints 1 on Saturday afternoon.

A young and determined Grammar side started brightly as they led by four goals at quarter-time and were outscored by only a goal in the second to be still ahead at half-time.

Young shooting combination Kasey Warren and Abbey Cristinelli were on target to help their side be ahead 24-21 at half-time as Jennelle Marwick provided great drive in centre court.

However, the move to push Taylah Orzel into centre helped kickstart Royals Saints’ comeback as their defence, led by Lisa Amess, placed great pressure on the ball.

Royals Saints won the third term 15 goals to eight as they snatched the lead back by three-quarter-time and then a 10-goal final term ensured a hard-fought three-goal win.

Orzel and Sophie Lynch helped control the midcourt in the final term as their side prevailed 46-43, with the result pushing them back to the top of the table.

A 25-goal first half from Kangas 1 guided them to a comfortable 15-goal victory over Narrikup 1 as they remained one point adrift of Royals Saints on top.

The absence of key defender Rachel Willcocks mattered little as Kangas netted 10 goals in the first and added 15 more in the second, with Marcia Trevenen and Rani Rawlinson a constant threat in attack.

Narrikup fought back in the third quarter, with Tina Mundy and wing defence Sarah Horgan working tirelessly as they reduced the margin to seven goals.

A supreme final stanza from Kangas, however, produced 17 goals as they defeated Narrikup, 49-34.

Kangas 2 won every quarter in their 42-28 win over Bethel 1 to remain in the hunt for finals.