Oldham U12’s won the Nottingham City Junior Netball Tournament for the second year in a row this weekend.

They started well on day one and were undefeated after securing victories against Poole, Yendys, Cliftonettes and Barr Beacon and drawing with Parkside. So having topped their group they progressed into the cup competition the following day.

After the previous day’s tight game against Parkside, Oldham faced them once again and after a goal for goal first half moved into another gear in the second to secure a 6-2 victory. Next in line were Poole and in a close, low-scoring game Poole came out on top 2-1 and denting Oldham’s unbeaten record. However, Poole lost to Turnford so it was back in Oldham’s hands as they also had a superior goal difference.

Oldham faced local rivals Trafford and after several missed shots pulled out a narrow win 3-2. A more convincing 7-1 win against Turnford following setting up a tough test against another local side YWCA Bury. Oldham had to win to secure their second title in a row and they were up against it with Bury’s tall shooter being particularly effective. A tactical change saw Nat Woolhouse move to goal keeper to nullify the height advantage and this worked as Oldham secured a tight 6-5 win and the cup much to the delight of the Oldham coach’s Pam Hazelton and Jackie Reid and the travelling supporters.

Shooting stats:

Alex Martin 35 from 52 - 67%
Berri Neil 26  from 38 - 68%
Kate Leddy 1 from 3 - 33%

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.