ANA 2025: Narrikup hold their nerve in tense last term over Royals Saints to reach first A1 decider since 2022

A flurry of goals to start the final term has lifted Narrikup 1 into the Albany Netball Association A1 grand final, surviving a late challenge from Royals Saints 1 in Saturday’s preliminary final.

The reigning premiers came hard in the final few minutes but their bid to win a fourth straight premiership came to an end, losing by two goals to bow out of the 2025 title race.

Royals claimed a premiership three-peat last year, and their fifth title in eight seasons, but it will be Narrikup and Kangas 1 who will meet in this year’s decider.

Little separated the two sides in the high stakes preliminary final and scores were level after an absorbing opening half.

Narrikup, who finished as minor premiers but lost a pulsating extra time qualifying final to Kangas, had to butter up in the preliminary final but emerged victorious 49-47.

They took control early in the third term against Royals, skipping out to a four-goal advantage.

Royals fought hard but trailed by three goals at three-quarter-time as the pressure on the reigning champs mounted.

Narrikup hit five of the first six goals of the fourth quarter, to quickly extend the margin to seven goals.

Royals still had their moments of control in the final term, at one stage trimming the deficit to a single shot but the Narrikup defence held firm.

The two sides traded goals in a tense final couple of minutes, Narrikup hanging on to book a rematch with close rivals Kangas on the grand final stage.

It was a big result for Narrikup, who turned around a 13-goal loss to Royals in the final game of the regular season to reach their first grand final since 2022.