A day trip to Hartlepool saw Oldham take on northern rivals Oaksway, always an unpredictable fixture.
The defensive pairing of Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey started strongly and a number of intercepts, taken speedily through to goal, saw Oldham move into an early four goal lead. This didn’t last long as Oaksway found their way back into the game, with some great goals from their tall goal shooter, Georgia Rowe. At the end of the first quarter Oldham led 11-16.
Quarter two was a different story. Oldham continued to be solid in defence, with Taylor Cullen and Gabs Marshall also pitching in with some great intercepts. The through court play from Oldham was at times breathtaking. At Wing Attack, Maria McAndrew was running the centre court, linking well with Kathryn Turner and Krista Enziano. Both shooters had found their range and scored 20 goals between them. Oaksway could find no answer, as Oldham won the quarter 9-20 and took a healthy 16 goal lead into the half time break.
The defensive pairing of Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey started strongly and a number of intercepts, taken speedily through to goal, saw Oldham move into an early four goal lead. This didn’t last long as Oaksway found their way back into the game, with some great goals from their tall goal shooter, Georgia Rowe. At the end of the first quarter Oldham led 11-16.
Quarter two was a different story. Oldham continued to be solid in defence, with Taylor Cullen and Gabs Marshall also pitching in with some great intercepts. The through court play from Oldham was at times breathtaking. At Wing Attack, Maria McAndrew was running the centre court, linking well with Kathryn Turner and Krista Enziano. Both shooters had found their range and scored 20 goals between them. Oaksway could find no answer, as Oldham won the quarter 9-20 and took a healthy 16 goal lead into the half time break.
Coach, Debbie Hallas made changes going into the third quarter with Lucy Stevenson, Abby Tyrrell and Iona Darroch replacing Enziano, Dovey and McAndrew, respectively. The changes disrupted the flow and Oldham lost momentum in an end to end quarter with both teams finding it difficult to capitalise. Oldham won the quarter by just one goal and took a 30-47 lead.
Krista Enziano, Emma Dovey and Maria McAndrew returned to the court for the final quarter and Oldham took the first two goals. After five minutes a time out for a minor injury to Kathryn Turner saw her replaced at goal attack by Lucy Stevenson. Oldham couldn’t get into their stride and continuously failed to take the ball though to goal. Oaksway won the quarter 11-8 and the final score ended 41-55 to Oldham
A scrappy game throughout, with the exception of the second quarter when Oaksway simply could not live with Oldham. Masterful performances all over the court in this quarter put Oldham into a strong position to come away with another hard earned 5 points.
Coach Debbie Hallas commented: “We are still struggling with a lack of consistency throughout the game, we played some of our best netball all season in the second quarter, but we need to start better and continue to hold form all through the game. Sometimes it is hard when you get a good lead, it can lead to complacency, with a few tweaks here and there we can improve on this going forward. We are still a young squad and need to learn to adapt better to changes in personnel, however, these young players are gaining more and more experience with the exposure and it will stand them in good stead as we grow through the season.”
POM: Kathryn Turner
Starting 7: GS-Enziano, GA-Turner, WA-McAndrew, C-Marshall, WD-Cullen,
GD-Dovey, GK-Almond
Subs: Darroch, Tyrrell, Stevenson
Krista Enziano, Emma Dovey and Maria McAndrew returned to the court for the final quarter and Oldham took the first two goals. After five minutes a time out for a minor injury to Kathryn Turner saw her replaced at goal attack by Lucy Stevenson. Oldham couldn’t get into their stride and continuously failed to take the ball though to goal. Oaksway won the quarter 11-8 and the final score ended 41-55 to Oldham
A scrappy game throughout, with the exception of the second quarter when Oaksway simply could not live with Oldham. Masterful performances all over the court in this quarter put Oldham into a strong position to come away with another hard earned 5 points.
Coach Debbie Hallas commented: “We are still struggling with a lack of consistency throughout the game, we played some of our best netball all season in the second quarter, but we need to start better and continue to hold form all through the game. Sometimes it is hard when you get a good lead, it can lead to complacency, with a few tweaks here and there we can improve on this going forward. We are still a young squad and need to learn to adapt better to changes in personnel, however, these young players are gaining more and more experience with the exposure and it will stand them in good stead as we grow through the season.”
POM: Kathryn Turner
Starting 7: GS-Enziano, GA-Turner, WA-McAndrew, C-Marshall, WD-Cullen,
GD-Dovey, GK-Almond
Subs: Darroch, Tyrrell, Stevenson