Oldham secured their third Premier League title in a row and a little piece of history when they defeated Blades 62-60 in Southampton. Oldham became the first team to win the trophy three times in the new Premier League format, plus they were missing 11 players who were not available due to Manchester Thunder’s Monday night’s Superleague fixture.
With their new look Oldham took time to settle in the first quarter and gave Blades an early lead, but led by captain Rachael Taylor and centre Gabs Marshall they started to find a rhythm finished the quarter up by one goal 14-13.
At quarter time Coach Debbie Hallas made some early changes bringing 16 year old Amy Neild on at goal attack, while Alice Travis moved to goal shooter. The change added some movement to the Oldham attack and feeders Maria McAndrew, Marshall and Neild were finding Travis with ease. Oldham won the quarter by four goals, taking their lead to five overall.
With their new look Oldham took time to settle in the first quarter and gave Blades an early lead, but led by captain Rachael Taylor and centre Gabs Marshall they started to find a rhythm finished the quarter up by one goal 14-13.
At quarter time Coach Debbie Hallas made some early changes bringing 16 year old Amy Neild on at goal attack, while Alice Travis moved to goal shooter. The change added some movement to the Oldham attack and feeders Maria McAndrew, Marshall and Neild were finding Travis with ease. Oldham won the quarter by four goals, taking their lead to five overall.
Half time saw changes from both teams with Blades trying to combat the height advantage of Travis. Another 16 year old, Jess Dale, came on at goal keeper for her Premier League debut with Abby Tyrrell moving upto goal defence. The Oldham youngsters held their own and extended their lead by a further two goals leading 49-42 at three quarter time.
In the final quarter Kate Smith came back on at goal defence while Amy Clinton came back on at goal shooter with Travis going to goal attack. Blades fought hard to come back at Oldham and slowly caught up reducing the deficit to put Oldham under pressure. However, showing maturity beyond their years Oldham took a sweet victory against England U17/19 Coach Jan Crabtree’s team 62-60.
Coach Debbie Hallas commented: “I couldn’t be more proud today, to win the Premier League for the third year in a row is a great achievement for these girls. We have great strength in depth which showed as we were missing 11 players today and played with four 16 year olds. Our average age was just 18.5.”
Oldham: GS Amy Clinton GA Alice Travis WA Maria McAndrew C Gabriella Marshall WD Rachael Taylor GD Kate Smith GK Abby Tyrrell
Bench: Jess Dale, Amy Neild
In the final quarter Kate Smith came back on at goal defence while Amy Clinton came back on at goal shooter with Travis going to goal attack. Blades fought hard to come back at Oldham and slowly caught up reducing the deficit to put Oldham under pressure. However, showing maturity beyond their years Oldham took a sweet victory against England U17/19 Coach Jan Crabtree’s team 62-60.
Coach Debbie Hallas commented: “I couldn’t be more proud today, to win the Premier League for the third year in a row is a great achievement for these girls. We have great strength in depth which showed as we were missing 11 players today and played with four 16 year olds. Our average age was just 18.5.”
Oldham: GS Amy Clinton GA Alice Travis WA Maria McAndrew C Gabriella Marshall WD Rachael Taylor GD Kate Smith GK Abby Tyrrell
Bench: Jess Dale, Amy Neild