After a convincing win the previous week against Thoroughbreds, Oldham were far from complacent about this week’s visitors Academy. In previous meetings games have gone down to the wire with only a couple of goals in the results.

In previous weeks Oldham have had sluggish starts but this was put right for sure this week with the home side taking an early 7-1 lead. The defence were unstoppable with Kerry Almond, Emma Dovey and Beth Cobden being a brick wall to the academy in attack. At the other end the goals were flying in from all over the circle past former England International and ANZ defender Sonia Mkoloma. Oldham were on fire and took the game to Academy from the first whistle, the quarter ended Oldham leading 17-5.

Oldham's speed in attack was unstoppable and Maria McAndrew was linking well and finding Krista Enziano under the post with ease. Throughbreds struggled to find a rhythm in attack and Oldham's strong defensive line made it difficult for the ball to reach the circle. Towards the end of the quarter goals started to flow for both teams and the quarter finished with a high scoring 23-11. 

Coach Debbie Hallas opted to keep the same seven on court for the 2nd quarter and did not want to disrupt the quick flow of ball through the court. Laura Malcolm was having an exceptional game at WD making sure that ball was being turned over before reaching the goal circle. Throughbreds seemed to up the game and tried to slow down the quick give and go play between Henry McAndrew and Turner in attack. It was a lower scoring quarter and at half time Oldham still were comfortably in the lead 39-19.