Second placed Oldham travelled to bottom of the table Thoroughbreds this Sunday and recorded a convincing 69-44 win.
The team travelled to Norwich the night before and the long journey was evident in the usual slow start, allowing the home team to get a quick 2-0 lead, the only time they would lead in the game.
The current champions took a few minutes to settle in with a team that hadn't played together before, only having four of the usual squad available for the game. 16 year old Amy Clinton slotted in well at goal shooter providing good holding space for Maria McAndrew and Gabs Marshall to feed with ease. Kathryn Turner was providing the experience in the shooting circle and was dominating with effective drives. The defence line of Rachael Taylor, Kate Smith and Kerry Almond were srtong and turned the ball over numerous times in the first quarter to take a lead at the break 19-11 .
There were no changes for the second quarter and Oldham carried on where they left off, extending the lead with ease and surety, despite a few slight lapses in focus through the 15 minutes. Half time score 38-20.
The team travelled to Norwich the night before and the long journey was evident in the usual slow start, allowing the home team to get a quick 2-0 lead, the only time they would lead in the game.
The current champions took a few minutes to settle in with a team that hadn't played together before, only having four of the usual squad available for the game. 16 year old Amy Clinton slotted in well at goal shooter providing good holding space for Maria McAndrew and Gabs Marshall to feed with ease. Kathryn Turner was providing the experience in the shooting circle and was dominating with effective drives. The defence line of Rachael Taylor, Kate Smith and Kerry Almond were srtong and turned the ball over numerous times in the first quarter to take a lead at the break 19-11 .
There were no changes for the second quarter and Oldham carried on where they left off, extending the lead with ease and surety, despite a few slight lapses in focus through the 15 minutes. Half time score 38-20.
Amy Neild was brought on at goal for the third period and her debut at this Premier League. Neild and the attacking unit took a few minutes to settle and adjust to the changes made, allowing the home side to make a small dent in Oldham's lead, but not significantly so. Thoroughbreds took the quarter by two but Oldham were still leading 51-35.
Coach Debbie Hallas moved Turner back into the goal attack position for the final quarter and Oldham immediately looked more assured and confident in the shooting third. Marshall and McAndrew were penetrating to the circle edge and Clinton and Turner were slotting the goals away. Oldham extended the lead and finished the game off in clinical fashion scoring in the final seconds to take the win by 25.
The win moved Oldham back to the top of the table after The Downs were beaten at home by Leeds Athletic.
Coach Debbie Hallas commented: “With 11 players missing due to Monday’s Superleague game, I thought the result would have been closer, however, the girls put on an all-round excellent performance. The experience of Kathryn Turner and Kerry Almond at each end was apparent, Turner ably assisted our young shooter Amy Clinton while Kerry was a rock at the back. She gave the Thoroughbreds shooter Steffi Burt a torrid time and was up there for my player of the match, however, I think Amy Clinton’s performance at goal shooter was the performance of the day. For a young player she put out such a mature all-round performance, her movement and presence in the circle was fantastic.”
Squad: GS A Clinton GA K Turner WA M McAndrew C G Marshall WD R Taylor GD K Smith GK K Almond. Subs A Neild D Hallas.
Coach Debbie Hallas moved Turner back into the goal attack position for the final quarter and Oldham immediately looked more assured and confident in the shooting third. Marshall and McAndrew were penetrating to the circle edge and Clinton and Turner were slotting the goals away. Oldham extended the lead and finished the game off in clinical fashion scoring in the final seconds to take the win by 25.
The win moved Oldham back to the top of the table after The Downs were beaten at home by Leeds Athletic.
Coach Debbie Hallas commented: “With 11 players missing due to Monday’s Superleague game, I thought the result would have been closer, however, the girls put on an all-round excellent performance. The experience of Kathryn Turner and Kerry Almond at each end was apparent, Turner ably assisted our young shooter Amy Clinton while Kerry was a rock at the back. She gave the Thoroughbreds shooter Steffi Burt a torrid time and was up there for my player of the match, however, I think Amy Clinton’s performance at goal shooter was the performance of the day. For a young player she put out such a mature all-round performance, her movement and presence in the circle was fantastic.”
Squad: GS A Clinton GA K Turner WA M McAndrew C G Marshall WD R Taylor GD K Smith GK K Almond. Subs A Neild D Hallas.