Oldham Netball Club's Premier League team started off their campaign to claim the league title for a fourth straight year with an away win over newly promoted Worcester Reds on Sunday.
The start of the game was delayed by 40 minutes due to an umpiring issue, and the disruption showed in the first quarter. Oldham started slowly, not sure what to make of Reds, and making numerous uncharacteristic errors. It was a scrappy first quarter with too many missed shots ended 10-7 to Oldham.
Oldham started the second quarter in better form, with Emma Dovey taking a defensive rebound for Kathryn Turner to convert after good centre court work from Maria McAndrew, and then a conversion of their own centre. The defensive unit of Laura Malcolm, Beth Cobden, Dovey and Kerry Almond were starting to assert themselves and picked up plenty of interceptions and tips for Turner and Krista Enziano to score. Oldham led at the half time break 27-13.
The start of the game was delayed by 40 minutes due to an umpiring issue, and the disruption showed in the first quarter. Oldham started slowly, not sure what to make of Reds, and making numerous uncharacteristic errors. It was a scrappy first quarter with too many missed shots ended 10-7 to Oldham.
Oldham started the second quarter in better form, with Emma Dovey taking a defensive rebound for Kathryn Turner to convert after good centre court work from Maria McAndrew, and then a conversion of their own centre. The defensive unit of Laura Malcolm, Beth Cobden, Dovey and Kerry Almond were starting to assert themselves and picked up plenty of interceptions and tips for Turner and Krista Enziano to score. Oldham led at the half time break 27-13.
Coach Debbie Hallas made two changes for the third quarter, moving Cobden to wing attack and bringing Gabby Marshall onto wing defence. The change paid off with Marshall immediately winning the ball for Oldham to score, and then quickly picking up another interception. Cobden’s height around the circle was helping the Oldham attack and the away side stretched the lead to 37-19 going into the final quarter.
Abby Tyrell was brought on for Emma Dovey for the final quarter and made an impact. The youngster restricted the work of the Reds goal attack, which allowed Marshall, Almond and Malcolm to collect any loose balls and pick up more intercepts. Enziano and Turner were still working hard in the shooting circle to lose their tight defenders and made sure that Oldham pulled away to a big win. 53-22.
Coach Hallas commented: "To be honest I would like to erase the first quarter, we notoriously start slowly, although toward the end of last season’s campaign thought we had gone a long way to eradicating this. Disruption or not both teams were affected, hopefully we have got rid of the rustiness and have found form before moving onto the next game.”
“Laura Malcolm was voted player of the match by the Reds and she deserved it after and energetic and dominant display in the middle of the court. She was well supported by Beth Cobden who impressed on both the wings and added height to our defence further up court. Gabs Marshall came on with great impact, and showed well in front of Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey who were solid at the back.”
“We have a three week break now, which is not ideal as I love to build momentum, but we are looking forward to our first home match which is the 28th of September against Team Bath Toucans.”
Team: GS K Enziano GA K Turner WA M McAndrew C L Malcolm WD B Codben GD E Dovey GK K Almond Subs: G Marshall, A Tyrell, A Clinton
Abby Tyrell was brought on for Emma Dovey for the final quarter and made an impact. The youngster restricted the work of the Reds goal attack, which allowed Marshall, Almond and Malcolm to collect any loose balls and pick up more intercepts. Enziano and Turner were still working hard in the shooting circle to lose their tight defenders and made sure that Oldham pulled away to a big win. 53-22.
Coach Hallas commented: "To be honest I would like to erase the first quarter, we notoriously start slowly, although toward the end of last season’s campaign thought we had gone a long way to eradicating this. Disruption or not both teams were affected, hopefully we have got rid of the rustiness and have found form before moving onto the next game.”
“Laura Malcolm was voted player of the match by the Reds and she deserved it after and energetic and dominant display in the middle of the court. She was well supported by Beth Cobden who impressed on both the wings and added height to our defence further up court. Gabs Marshall came on with great impact, and showed well in front of Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey who were solid at the back.”
“We have a three week break now, which is not ideal as I love to build momentum, but we are looking forward to our first home match which is the 28th of September against Team Bath Toucans.”
Team: GS K Enziano GA K Turner WA M McAndrew C L Malcolm WD B Codben GD E Dovey GK K Almond Subs: G Marshall, A Tyrell, A Clinton