Business as usual after early mistakes

NETBALL: OLDHAM Netball Club's Premier League team began their bid to claim the league title for a fourth straight year with a 53-22 win at newly-promoted Worcester Reds.

Oldham made uncharacteristic errors in the first quarter and led only 10-7, but started the second quarter in better form, with Emma Dovey taking a defensive rebound for Kathryn Turner to convert after good centre court work from Maria McAndrew.

The defensive unit of Laura Malcolm, Beth Cobden, Dovey and Kerry Almond started to assert itself and picked up plenty of interceptions and tips for Turner and Krista Enziano to score. Oldham led 27-13 at half-time.

Coach Debbie Hallas made two changes for the third quarter, moving Cobden to wing attack and switching Gabby Marshall to wing defence. The changes paid off, with Marshall immediately winning the ball for Oldham to score then quickly picking up another interception.

Cobden’s height helped the Oldham attack and the away side stretched its lead to 37-19 into the final quarter.

Abby Tyrell was brought on for Emma Dovey for the last period and made an impact. The youngster restricted the work of the Reds goal attack, which allowed Marshall, Almond and Malcolm to collect any loose balls and pick up more interceptions.

Enziano and Turner were still working hard in the shooting circle to lose their tight defenders and made sure that Oldham pulled away for an emphatic win.

Oldham’s first home match is against Bath on September 28.