Oldham step closer to title

NETBALL:

Oaksway 44, Oldham 63

WITH only four games of the Premier League Division One season to go, every point is crucial if Oldham Netball Club is to retain its title.

The trip north to Oaksway is always a tough one, and the reigning champions were soon 2-0 down.

But defender Jodie Gibson kicked Oldham into gear and her turnovers were rewarded as her side

onverted their chances and edged the first quarter 16-11.

At the first break Rachel Henry came on at wing attack and Australian import Alix McDermott made her Premier League debut at goal attack.

Oaksway came out firing for the second quarter and disrupted Oldham’s flow. But with their dominant defence of Gibson, Emma Dovey and Georgie Webster, Oldham were 28-23 up at half-time.

Kathryn Turner and Maria McAndrew returned to court for the third quarter, while Henry moved to centre and McDermott switched to the shooter position. Oldham clicked and stretched the lead to 41-33.

It was in the fourth quarter that Oldham really did some damage. Alice Travis returned to shooter and Turner, Henry and McAndrew found her with ease. At the other end Dovey, Webster and Gibson forced Oaksway into mistakes and Oldham piled on goals, 22 in total.

Oldham play their last home fixture of the season at Hathershaw College on Sunday, and it should be a cracker against Oldham’s main title competition, The Downs.