Superb Armstrong is star turn

ON THE BALL . . . Amy Neild looks for a team-mate

OLDHAM Netball Club, the newly crowned National Premier League champions, registered a hard-earned 48-39 win over visitors Blades to maintain their unbeaten record.

Sloppy through-court play saw the home side trail 4-1 in the early stages, but good takes by Amy Clinton kept them in touch (12-9) at the end of the opening quarter.

Coach Debbie Hallas introduced Kathryn Turner to the attack, and with Amelia Hall and Maria McAndrew at centre and wing defence respectively, Oldham dominated the mid-court. Susie Armstrong also began to boss the defensive circle with multiple intercepts.

Taking the quarter 19-5 for a 28-17 lead, Oldham showed why they had won the title.

Emma Dovey returned for the third quarter at goal defence and Krista Enziano at goal shooter.

With the changes taking a bit of time to gel, this phase was evenly matched, but Oldham did enough to maintain their lead (39-28) thanks to calm play from Dovey and Armstrong.

Hall and McAndrew moved forward to wing attack and centre respectively for the last quartet, with Amy Neild returning to the court.

As Oldham got to grips with the changes, Blades notched five of the first six goals. The home side remained calm, though, and pulled away.

Hallas said: "With a depleted squad we struggled early on, but a switch of the mid-court and the introduction of Kathryn Turner at goal attack brought more structure to our play.

"I think we found it tough to keep our concentration, having already won the league, but we ground out a result.

"Goalkeeper Susie Armstrong helped keep us in the game with an impressive 11 turnovers."

Oldham starting seven: GS A Clinton GA A Hall WA A Neild C M McAndrew WD A Tyrrell GD E Dovey GK S Armstrong. Bench: K Enziano K Turner

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