Magpies slay Giants in last-gasp thriller

THE Tasmanian Magpies bounced back from a 41-52 loss on Friday to record a 53-51 victory against the Canberra Giants in their Australian Netball League match.

The weekend saw the Magpies without key shooter Jane Cook because of illness, forcing the Magpies to change their game plan in attack.

Saturday night’s match was a physical, lead-changing affair with Gabbi Sinclair in goals and Tasmania’s Kelsie Rainbow through the centre standouts.

The Magpies took the slimmest of margins into the first break and managed to extend their lead to 25-23 at halftime before the Giants scored 17 from 17 in the third to take a 40-38 lead into the last.

The Giants looked to have the game in their control being four up with four minutes to go before the Magpies were able to rally to be one up with one minute to go. Another turnover to the Magpies saw them hold on to the ball and a goal on the siren to Gabby Sinclair saw them take a two-goal win.

Assistant coach Claire Den- nis was pleased with the team’s effort to bounce back from the loss. “We were more consistent from the outset,” she said. CRIPPS Waratah built every quarter to record an impressive 57-38 win over Karana Flames in State League netball.

Cripps coach Fiona Moore was pleased. “I’m really happy with the consistent four quarters and that we were able to keep building,” she said. “The whole team’s performance was excellent, they stuck to the plan of patience and possession.”

Karana coach Di Jodlowska wasn’t disheartened by the loss. “We had some beautiful passages, we kept the enthusi- asm and drive, we were just beaten by a better team.”

In other matches, AYC-Friends Arrows easily accounted for Devon 87-3, Burnie Tigers defeated OHA 64-47, Kingston had an easy 77-38 win over Burnie, and Northern Hawks handed Devon an 86-54 defeat.