Oldham Netball Club's premier league side took a hard fought five points when they faced Oaksway in Hartlepool on Sunday.
A strong seven from both sides led to a cagey opening with goals and turnovers traded fairly regularly, until Oldham finally took hold of the game. Some strong play in the defence from player of the match Emma Dovey and Kerry Almond on the home side's shooting pair allowed Oldham to carve open a lead, with Maria McAndrew feeding well into the shooting pair of Kathryn Turner and Krista Enziano. They led by two at the first quarter break.
No changes going into the second quarter and Oldham ramped it up, taking the game by the scruff of the neck with some great pressure from Taylor Cullen and calm play down court by Amy Neild. Oldham's defence was working overtime and the centre court were working quickly and fluidly against the solid defensive pressure from the home side. Enziano was contending with some strong body contact in the circle but was working well to create space and take some good feeds. At half time Oldham led 25-14.
Coach Debbie Hallas, opted to bring Abby Tyrrell and Iona Darroch on for the second half and the changes didn't affect Oldham. They continued to work hard, keeping the gap between the two sides. Some wayward shots allowed Oaksway to cut the deficit but some great play and an intercept from nowhere by Darroch took it back out again. To keep the lead solid going into the last.
It was a low scoring game, with the last quarter a goal for goal affair. Some outstanding though court work from both sides and some missed shots were the order for that final 15 minutes. But Oldham held on to take the win 47-36.
Coach Hallas said: "We ground out a win today, our shooting circle were given a tough time and our stats suffered for it. Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey were solid in defence and turned over plenty of ball, I was also pleased with the substitutes that came on, Abby Tyrrell and Iona Darroch. They both had an impact which is what I ask of them. My player of the match today was Emma Dovey."
Starting seven: GS K Enziano GA K Turner WA A Neild C M McAndrew WD T Cullen GD E Dovey GK K Almond. Bench: A Tyrrell I Darroch
A strong seven from both sides led to a cagey opening with goals and turnovers traded fairly regularly, until Oldham finally took hold of the game. Some strong play in the defence from player of the match Emma Dovey and Kerry Almond on the home side's shooting pair allowed Oldham to carve open a lead, with Maria McAndrew feeding well into the shooting pair of Kathryn Turner and Krista Enziano. They led by two at the first quarter break.
No changes going into the second quarter and Oldham ramped it up, taking the game by the scruff of the neck with some great pressure from Taylor Cullen and calm play down court by Amy Neild. Oldham's defence was working overtime and the centre court were working quickly and fluidly against the solid defensive pressure from the home side. Enziano was contending with some strong body contact in the circle but was working well to create space and take some good feeds. At half time Oldham led 25-14.
Coach Debbie Hallas, opted to bring Abby Tyrrell and Iona Darroch on for the second half and the changes didn't affect Oldham. They continued to work hard, keeping the gap between the two sides. Some wayward shots allowed Oaksway to cut the deficit but some great play and an intercept from nowhere by Darroch took it back out again. To keep the lead solid going into the last.
It was a low scoring game, with the last quarter a goal for goal affair. Some outstanding though court work from both sides and some missed shots were the order for that final 15 minutes. But Oldham held on to take the win 47-36.
Coach Hallas said: "We ground out a win today, our shooting circle were given a tough time and our stats suffered for it. Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey were solid in defence and turned over plenty of ball, I was also pleased with the substitutes that came on, Abby Tyrrell and Iona Darroch. They both had an impact which is what I ask of them. My player of the match today was Emma Dovey."
Starting seven: GS K Enziano GA K Turner WA A Neild C M McAndrew WD T Cullen GD E Dovey GK K Almond. Bench: A Tyrrell I Darroch