ANA 2025: Joy for Bullets after second win while Narrikup are pegged back by Magpies in thrilling 55-55 draw

Bullets 1 won their second game of the season with an upset 46-42 victory over Railways as round 11 of the Albany Netball Association A1 competition roared into life at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on Saturday. As Bullets were celebrating a rare triumph, ladder leaders Narrikup 1 were being pegged back by Magpies 1, with whom they shared a thrilling 55-55 draw. Royals Saints 1 also made their move, going level with Kangas 1 on the ladder with a routine 56-19 demolition of Griffins 1, who are yet to win a game. Railways were left to rue a missed opportunity in the four-goal loss, with fourth spot on the ladder still up for grabs. Bullets had previously only registered a win over Griffins, and Railways were in front at the end of the first quarter, leading 12-10. They extended their lead to five halfway through the second quarter, but Bullets nabbed three of the last four goals to reduce the margin to three. They then promptly conceded three in a row as Railways went six up before fighting back with three of their own and then three more to go into the final term at 32-apiece. Bullets were firing on all cylinders in the last quarter, outscoring Railways by 14-10 to earn a morale-boosting victory. Although Narrikup scored the opening three goals, Magpies led 16-15 at the first break and scored three in a row themselves to start the second quarter. They ended that quarter up by three and extended their advantage to be five ahead at the end of the third. Narrikup only edged themselves back into the contest midway through the final term and the sides were level at 52-52 with five minutes left. It was nip and tuck until Narrikup finally got in front with 23 seconds to go, however, a Magpies equaliser sank through the net with four seconds remaining for a dramatic share of the spoils. Kangas were not in action so Royals took advantage to go level with them on 16 points, though having played one game more. Griffins battled hard and made a decent fist of the first quarter, scoring six goals, but Royals took control and, after finishing the second quarter leading 28-10, allowed their opponents only one goal in the third. Royals made hard work of the start of the final term but seven goals on the trot in the last five minutes gave them a comfortable margin of victory. Kangas and Royals face each other in a round 12 showdown this Saturday.