BLADES CUT TO THE QUICK BY VISITORS
Date published: 29 April 2010
NETBALL: OLDHAM maintained third place in division one of the Netball Premier League with an impressive 53-30 win at Southampton side Stash Blades.
The visitors made a rapid start, racing into a 7-0 lead.
Oldham produced some fantastic attacking moves, with centre Laura Malcolm and wing attack Rachel Henry finding goal-shooter Anastascia Wilson with ease.
Blades fought back in the second quarter, stopping Oldham’s flow through the court, but they still lost it 12-8.
The home side, who are fighting to avoid the relegation play-off places, could not cope with the height and athleticism of Wilson. She is showing great form ahead of the Superleague play-off, where she will represent Northern Thunder.
Oldham pressed on playing some impressive netball and stormed through the third quarter 18-5.
Coach Mike Greenwood rested Wilson in the final quarter, and tried out a young shooting pairing of Kathryn Turner and Alexa Collier.
Oldham did not adjust well to the change and, having the high ball option taken away, this allowed Blades to take the last quarter 11-10. However, the hard work had already been done.
Squad: K Almond, E Dovey, D Hallas, L Malcolm, R Henry, K Turner, A Wilson, J Gibson, A Collier.
A YOUNG Oldham squad produced a spirited display before eventually succumbing 51-36 at north Wales outfit Deeside in the Northern League. Oldham started brightly and, with great leadership from Sarah Brennan, led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter.
The hosts, a team full of experience including former Northern Thunder wing defence Bev Lovatt, fought back in the second, taking the quarter 16-10, to go three-up at the mid-way point.
Oldham’s defence remained strong throughout and in the third quarter they produced some useful turnovers from Becky Pope, Becky Smith and Rachael Taylor.
Oldham began to struggle with their shooting and, with no options on the bench, they had to force their way through the Deeside defence, but to no avail.
Squad: S Brennan, C Reid,
M McAndrew, G McAndrew, R Taylor,
B Pope, B Smith, L Murphy.
