Oldham Netball Club's Premier League side suffered their first defeat in over two years on Sunday when they visited Twickenham based side The Downs. It was a battle of the top two sides in the country, which resulted in the three point loss 38-35.
The game started slowly for Oldham, with The Downs turning over their first centre courtesy of a quick three second violation by Oldham shooter Krista Enziano, and converting it to quickly take the lead. Oldham's attack struggled to get the ball down the court through the close attentions of the home sides defence, wasting the few turnovers that Oldham could create. After the first quarter the scores were level at 9-9.
The game started slowly for Oldham, with The Downs turning over their first centre courtesy of a quick three second violation by Oldham shooter Krista Enziano, and converting it to quickly take the lead. Oldham's attack struggled to get the ball down the court through the close attentions of the home sides defence, wasting the few turnovers that Oldham could create. After the first quarter the scores were level at 9-9.
The start of the second quarter proved more successful for Oldham, turning over the first centre pass, and stretching out into a five goal lead, but it would be the away sides only lead of the game. The Downs slowly clawed back the deficit and took a 2-goal lead 19-17 going into half time.
Coach Hallas opted to make some changes at the break, bringing Helen Housby to goal shooter and Georgie Webster to wing defence. Beth Cobden and Rachel Henry moved forward to C and WA respectively.
The centre pass defence between Emma Dovey, Webster and Cobden was forcing turnovers for Oldham but the team couldn't capitalise, allowing the home side to keep their noses in front and stretch out to a five goal margin at three quarter time, 30-25.
Oldham started the final quarter on fire, taking three goals back without reply with the defence working harder than previously and Webster was making an impact on The Downs wing attack, forcing the errors and creating intercepts and turnovers, eventually helping Oldham level the scores. But the northerners couldn't keep up the intensity and a short pass call from the umpire halted the momentum, allowing The Downs to sneak ahead again and open up a lead that Oldham just couldn't get back. The final score was 38-35.
Coach Hallas opted to make some changes at the break, bringing Helen Housby to goal shooter and Georgie Webster to wing defence. Beth Cobden and Rachel Henry moved forward to C and WA respectively.
The centre pass defence between Emma Dovey, Webster and Cobden was forcing turnovers for Oldham but the team couldn't capitalise, allowing the home side to keep their noses in front and stretch out to a five goal margin at three quarter time, 30-25.
Oldham started the final quarter on fire, taking three goals back without reply with the defence working harder than previously and Webster was making an impact on The Downs wing attack, forcing the errors and creating intercepts and turnovers, eventually helping Oldham level the scores. But the northerners couldn't keep up the intensity and a short pass call from the umpire halted the momentum, allowing The Downs to sneak ahead again and open up a lead that Oldham just couldn't get back. The final score was 38-35.
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