Cullen excels in opening-day win

OLDHAM line up before their first match of the season. PICTURE by TOM NOKES

OLDHAM Netball Club's Premier League Division One season got under way with a 57-36 victory over local rivals Tameside ­- but they didn't have it all their own way.

The hosts started strongly and punished a few early Oldham errors to take a short-lived lead.

But once Oldham finally hit their rhythm, newly-promoted Tameside could do nothing to stop them.

Taylor Cullen was strong at wing defence and gave the home side's attack a lot to think about. In attack, Kathryn Turner was unstoppable at times and caused umpteen problems.

Oldham took a 19-8 lead into the second quarter and extended that to 25-8 with a run of six unanswered goals after the restart.

The team, at this point, was flying and could do no wrong.

Tameside fought back, but it wasn't enough to prevent Oldham from extending their advantage.

Changes in the third quarter stalled Oldham's flow, but they continued to pile up the points.

The lead built up by the visitors' strong performance allowed coach Debbie Hallas to try out some new combinations in the final quarter.

The experienced captain Kerry Almond and vice-captain Turner were given a well-earned rest as well as player-of-the-match Cullen.

Lucy Stevenson was given a run out in the unfamiliar position of goal attack while youngsters Abby Tyrrell and Armstrong paired up in defence.

The wholesale changes impacted on Oldham and Tameside won their only quarter of the day by six.

Hallas said: "I was really happy for our first outing of the season.

"There were elements of rustiness, but at times our speed through the court was untouchable.

"Taylor Cullen was outstanding at wing defence, not allowing the Tameside wing attack to see much of the ball.

"The midcourt combination of Gabs Marshall, Maria McAndrew and Kathryn Turner was a class act, getting the ball through to Amy Clinton, who scored an impressive 26 from 28 goals."

Oldham: GS A Clinton, GA K Turner, WA M McAndrew. C G Marshall, WD T Cullen, GD A Tyrell, GK K Almond. Bench: L Stevenson, I Darroch, S Armstrong.