Oldham Netball Club’s premier league team ended the season with a comfortable 64-50 win over New Campbell.
Coach Debbie Hallas had a young side once again, with only two of the 10 players over the age of 20. But the court time and experience that the young players had received in the season paid off.
Oldham started slow, taking time to get used to the experienced heads of the away side's attacks. Susie Armstrong was doing what she could against the tall shooter, and, after a minutes, began to work out her opponent, helped by some strong defensive pressure. Oldham still went in at the break two down at 13-15.
Coach Debbie Hallas had a young side once again, with only two of the 10 players over the age of 20. But the court time and experience that the young players had received in the season paid off.
Oldham started slow, taking time to get used to the experienced heads of the away side's attacks. Susie Armstrong was doing what she could against the tall shooter, and, after a minutes, began to work out her opponent, helped by some strong defensive pressure. Oldham still went in at the break two down at 13-15.
The second quarter was a different affair, with Oldham starting to play some free flowing and eye catching netball. Amy Clinton, still on a high from making her Superleague debut for Manchester Thunder the night before, was beginning to stamp her authority, taking some great catches and sinking shots from all over the circle. Kathryn Turner was leading from the front and working hard in front of Clinton, allowing Iona Darroch and Gabs Marshall to find the youngster with ease. Oldham took the quarter 21-9 and led at halftime 34-24.
Krista Enziano and Amy Neild replaced Clinton and Taylor Cullen for the third with Marshall and Darroch moving back to WD and C respectively. The changes halted Oldham's flow but the lead was too great to give Campbell any hope with their depleted squad. 47-36.
The last quarter saw Jess Dale enter the court and she came up with three interceptions in the space of a few minutes but Oldham failed to utilise two of them. It didn't matter in the end and the home side extended the lead to win the game 64-50.
Unfortunately for Oldham, the win was in vain as Academy beat The Downs to top the table and win the league by four points. Despite losing their crown, Hallas was upbeat about the development of young players and the prospect of a bright future for the side. "We have gone through a rebuilding phase this season after losing four regular senior players. To finish so close with such a young squad bodes well for the future and I am already excited about next season. Captain Turner led the line well again today with Amy Clinton in fine form. Player of the match goes to Iona Darroch who has been a revelation this season in her first season in the top tier. She’s not the tallest of players but more than makes up for it with her speed and tenacity. She’s one to look out for.”
Starting 7: GS A Clinton GA K Turner WA I Darroch C G Marshall WD T Cullen GD A Tyrrell GK S Armstrong. Bench: K Enziano A Neild J Dale
Krista Enziano and Amy Neild replaced Clinton and Taylor Cullen for the third with Marshall and Darroch moving back to WD and C respectively. The changes halted Oldham's flow but the lead was too great to give Campbell any hope with their depleted squad. 47-36.
The last quarter saw Jess Dale enter the court and she came up with three interceptions in the space of a few minutes but Oldham failed to utilise two of them. It didn't matter in the end and the home side extended the lead to win the game 64-50.
Unfortunately for Oldham, the win was in vain as Academy beat The Downs to top the table and win the league by four points. Despite losing their crown, Hallas was upbeat about the development of young players and the prospect of a bright future for the side. "We have gone through a rebuilding phase this season after losing four regular senior players. To finish so close with such a young squad bodes well for the future and I am already excited about next season. Captain Turner led the line well again today with Amy Clinton in fine form. Player of the match goes to Iona Darroch who has been a revelation this season in her first season in the top tier. She’s not the tallest of players but more than makes up for it with her speed and tenacity. She’s one to look out for.”
Starting 7: GS A Clinton GA K Turner WA I Darroch C G Marshall WD T Cullen GD A Tyrrell GK S Armstrong. Bench: K Enziano A Neild J Dale