Hosts fight back to edge spoils

Photo: Tim Bradley

OLDHAM'S Lucy Shepherd weighs up her options

DESPITE losing a tight opening quarter by two goals, Oldham Netball Club's North-West Premier team fought back to beat visitors Manchester 43-41.

Player-of-the-match Gemma McDermott impressed early on for the hosts, turning the ball over and applying plenty of pressure.

The second quarter saw Oldham introduce Isobel Hallam at goal shooter and Joely Ferris to wing defence.

The home settled well and scored three unanswered goals, with Hallam to the fore. Taking the quarter by six, Oldham moved ahead 24-20.

ERRORS

Quarter three was nip and tuck, and with Oldham making errors Manchester reduced the deficit to a couple of goals at 34-32. The game was up for grabs.

Amber Hazelton returned to wing defence for Oldham in the final quarter, with Ebbie Danson-Chappell at centre and Lucy Shepherd back to wing attack.

Manchester scored off Oldham's first centre pass, only for Zoe Mallinder and McDermott to regain possession and set up a quick reply, after which Suzy Ashworth's side managed to keep their noses in front. Ashworth said: "It wasn't pretty and we made a lot of errors, but all credit to the players.

"They maintained their composure under pressure and worked extremely hard for 60 minutes.

"It was good to win to maintain our confidence going into some very tough games."

Starting seven: GS Stevenson, GA Brennan, WA Shepherd, C Danson-Chappell, WD Hazelton, GD McDermott (captain), GK Mallinder.

Replacements: Livesey, Ferris, Hallam, Rhodes.

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