Despite their usual slow start Oldham’s premier league side chalked up another win away at Hucclecote.
The Cheltenham based side got the better start taking an early 6-4 lead, before Oldham finally warmed up and started to show glimpses of what they are capable of.
2 intercepts in row from WD Gabby Marshall and GA Kathryn Turner turned the deficit into a level game, the only time that Oldham would allow Hucclecote to get near them. The defence of Sara Hale and Kerry Almond were starting to assert themselves and force errors from the home side and they were backed up by Marshall and centre Rachel Henry who were turning over ball easily, Oldham led at the break 15-8.
Coach Debbie Hallas opted to replace Marshall with Rachael Taylor for the second period and the change didn't affect Oldham in the slightest, who went 10 goals ahead within a few minutes of the restart, after good work from Turner and Krista Enziano in the shooting circle. Hucclecote were starting to wither and couldn't live with the pace of Oldham, who extended their lead to 32-16 at halftime.
The Cheltenham based side got the better start taking an early 6-4 lead, before Oldham finally warmed up and started to show glimpses of what they are capable of.
2 intercepts in row from WD Gabby Marshall and GA Kathryn Turner turned the deficit into a level game, the only time that Oldham would allow Hucclecote to get near them. The defence of Sara Hale and Kerry Almond were starting to assert themselves and force errors from the home side and they were backed up by Marshall and centre Rachel Henry who were turning over ball easily, Oldham led at the break 15-8.
Coach Debbie Hallas opted to replace Marshall with Rachael Taylor for the second period and the change didn't affect Oldham in the slightest, who went 10 goals ahead within a few minutes of the restart, after good work from Turner and Krista Enziano in the shooting circle. Hucclecote were starting to wither and couldn't live with the pace of Oldham, who extended their lead to 32-16 at halftime.
The second half saw more of the same, as Hallas brought on the experienced Karen Greig at GS, who had been coaxed out of retirement to bolster a sparse squad for this game. Greig started quickly helping Oldham extend the lead once again, sinking some of her famous long bombs. Henry, having moved forward to WA, was finding and creating space, feeding Turner and Greig with ease. The score heading into the final quarter was 48-24.
Maria McAndrew was reintroduced for the final quarter and some quick passing into Greig and Turner allowed Oldham to consolidate and take a 25 goal win- 59-34.
Coach Debbie Hallas said: “After our notorious slow start we played some good netball for the first match of the new year. Again with seven players missing due to last minute England commitments it shows the strength in depth we have built. The league leaders The Downs lost to Academy so we are back to within one point of the lead leaving title race wide open.”
Squad: GS K Enziano GA K Turner WA M McAndrew C R Henry WD G Marshall GD S Hale GK K Almond. Subs R Taylor K Greig
Maria McAndrew was reintroduced for the final quarter and some quick passing into Greig and Turner allowed Oldham to consolidate and take a 25 goal win- 59-34.
Coach Debbie Hallas said: “After our notorious slow start we played some good netball for the first match of the new year. Again with seven players missing due to last minute England commitments it shows the strength in depth we have built. The league leaders The Downs lost to Academy so we are back to within one point of the lead leaving title race wide open.”
Squad: GS K Enziano GA K Turner WA M McAndrew C R Henry WD G Marshall GD S Hale GK K Almond. Subs R Taylor K Greig