After a break for international games the defending Premier One champions were raring to go against Essex based side New Cambell. The home side were without a few players as they were on 'rest' after representing their country in the previous week. This was going to be a tough game as earlier in the season Oldham came out with a draw down in Essex.
Coach Debbie Hallas demanded a quick start as this is something that Oldham have struggled to achieve throughout the season but New Cambell had other ideas. The first quarter was scrappy and no team got into any real flow and the ball seemed slow through the court. Oldham managed a few converted turnovers and led the first quarter 12-9.
At quarter time Hallas was quick to make changes bringing Maria McAndrew to wing attack shifting Rachel Henry to centre and Sara Hale came on at goal keeper. The changes worked straight away and Oldham quickly upped their gear and put three goals on the board without an answer from Cambell. The ball flew through the centre court and McAndrew was finding space well. At times the Oldham attack were unstoppable and managed to score 24 goals in the quarter with 100% shooting stats from Turner and Travis. At half time the score was 36-22.
Coach Debbie Hallas demanded a quick start as this is something that Oldham have struggled to achieve throughout the season but New Cambell had other ideas. The first quarter was scrappy and no team got into any real flow and the ball seemed slow through the court. Oldham managed a few converted turnovers and led the first quarter 12-9.
At quarter time Hallas was quick to make changes bringing Maria McAndrew to wing attack shifting Rachel Henry to centre and Sara Hale came on at goal keeper. The changes worked straight away and Oldham quickly upped their gear and put three goals on the board without an answer from Cambell. The ball flew through the centre court and McAndrew was finding space well. At times the Oldham attack were unstoppable and managed to score 24 goals in the quarter with 100% shooting stats from Turner and Travis. At half time the score was 36-22.
At half time Hallas again reshuffled her pack with Enziano taking to the court with Alice Travis having a run out at goal attack. This did not seem to disrupt Oldham and the changes settled well. Pressure in the Oldham defence forced mistakes and these were converted at the other end by Travis and Enziano who linked well. Again Oldham won the quarter and their lead increased to 49-29.
The strength and depth of the current champions meant more changes could be made going into the last quarter. Cobden and Turner returned to the court and Oldham were still keen to pile on the pressure and pile on the goals. Oldham won every quarter and it was positive to see different combinations working.
Coach Debbie Hallas: “The game didn’t really kick into life until the second quarter, the players that came on changed the game, Maria McAndrew’s vision was awesome and she made several defence splitting passes. She combined well with Henry, Turner and Travis as they put together some breath-taking moves that had the spectators gasping. I couldn’t really have asked for more.”
“Sara Hale deserves a mention, she played three different positions during the game and impressed at all three.”
Starting 7: Kerry Almond, Emma Dovey, Gabriella Marshall, Beth Cobden, Rachel Henry, Kathryn Turner, Alice Travis. Bench: Krista Enziano, Sara Hale, Maria McAndrew
Oldham travel to Norwich to face Thoroughbreds as they fight to retain the top spot in Prem 1.
The strength and depth of the current champions meant more changes could be made going into the last quarter. Cobden and Turner returned to the court and Oldham were still keen to pile on the pressure and pile on the goals. Oldham won every quarter and it was positive to see different combinations working.
Coach Debbie Hallas: “The game didn’t really kick into life until the second quarter, the players that came on changed the game, Maria McAndrew’s vision was awesome and she made several defence splitting passes. She combined well with Henry, Turner and Travis as they put together some breath-taking moves that had the spectators gasping. I couldn’t really have asked for more.”
“Sara Hale deserves a mention, she played three different positions during the game and impressed at all three.”
Starting 7: Kerry Almond, Emma Dovey, Gabriella Marshall, Beth Cobden, Rachel Henry, Kathryn Turner, Alice Travis. Bench: Krista Enziano, Sara Hale, Maria McAndrew
Oldham travel to Norwich to face Thoroughbreds as they fight to retain the top spot in Prem 1.