Oldham Netball Clubs premier division side needed just one point from their final game to clinch the title for a fourth straight year.
Essex based side New Cambell made the trip up north and started the stronger of the two sides, with some early feeds being lofted in to their tall shooter. The Oldham defence were working had to stop the flow of the visitors but couldn't quite do enough to stop that final ball. Some good shooting kept the home side in touch. 11-12 at the break.
Coach Hallas replaced captain Kerry Almond for the second bringing on Abby Tyrell at GK. Unfortunately for Oldham the away side dominated the second quarter with the balls going in to the Cambell GS all too easily. So sloppy play from Oldham's attack allowed the away side to take too many intercepts and really out the pressure on the defending champions. Beth Cobden was working hard at WD to stop the feeds but could only do so much to keep the home side in touch. Half time score was 19-30 to New Cambell.
Essex based side New Cambell made the trip up north and started the stronger of the two sides, with some early feeds being lofted in to their tall shooter. The Oldham defence were working had to stop the flow of the visitors but couldn't quite do enough to stop that final ball. Some good shooting kept the home side in touch. 11-12 at the break.
Coach Hallas replaced captain Kerry Almond for the second bringing on Abby Tyrell at GK. Unfortunately for Oldham the away side dominated the second quarter with the balls going in to the Cambell GS all too easily. So sloppy play from Oldham's attack allowed the away side to take too many intercepts and really out the pressure on the defending champions. Beth Cobden was working hard at WD to stop the feeds but could only do so much to keep the home side in touch. Half time score was 19-30 to New Cambell.
The third quarter saw a host of changes with Almond back on, Tyrell to GD, Georgie Webster to WD, Cobden replacing Rachel Henry at C, Amy Neild to WA and Kathryn Turner on to GA. The changes worked for Oldham and they started to peg back the score slowly, with some great shooting from Turner and Krista Enziano. Neild was steady with her play through the court and linked up well with Cobden. The defence of Oldham began to step up and created some intercepts and turnovers across the unit. Score at the break was 35-42 to Cambell.
Henry returned to court for the final quarter and Cobden, Webster and Tyrell all moved a place back, with Almond returning to the bench. Oldham started slowly but once the changes gelled began to gain some momentum to bring the score back to a 5 goal deficit. The final few minutes were goal for goal and it was just too little too late for the home side to end the season with a win. Final score was 51-56 to Cambell.
Despite the loss Oldham retained the title and trophy for the fourth season. This is the first time in the competitions history that this has been done and is a great achievement for the club and the town.
Coach Hallas said: “It was a little disappointing to finish the season with a loss, but the league is won over a season and we have been consistent and played some great netball utilising the large squad of players that we have. To win the league for the fourth time in a row is a record and something we are hugely proud of, it shows the talent and strength in depth we have at the club.”
Team: GS K Enziano GA A Travis WA M McAndrew C R Henry WD B Cobden GD G Webster GK K Almond Bench K Turner A Neild A Tyrell
Henry returned to court for the final quarter and Cobden, Webster and Tyrell all moved a place back, with Almond returning to the bench. Oldham started slowly but once the changes gelled began to gain some momentum to bring the score back to a 5 goal deficit. The final few minutes were goal for goal and it was just too little too late for the home side to end the season with a win. Final score was 51-56 to Cambell.
Despite the loss Oldham retained the title and trophy for the fourth season. This is the first time in the competitions history that this has been done and is a great achievement for the club and the town.
Coach Hallas said: “It was a little disappointing to finish the season with a loss, but the league is won over a season and we have been consistent and played some great netball utilising the large squad of players that we have. To win the league for the fourth time in a row is a record and something we are hugely proud of, it shows the talent and strength in depth we have at the club.”
Team: GS K Enziano GA A Travis WA M McAndrew C R Henry WD B Cobden GD G Webster GK K Almond Bench K Turner A Neild A Tyrell