Oldham denied by late penalty

NETBALL: DESPITE having only eight players and no recognised goal defence, Oldham pushed Oaksway to the limit in the National Premier League Division One before eventually succumbing to a 40-39 defeat.

The hosts edged the opening quarter, which featured flashes of great netball, 13-11, but the second was a one-sided affair as the hosts assumed control.

Oaksway used their superior experience to good effect, with measured passes to their shooter restricting Oldham to few chances of grabbing an interception.

And when the visitors did turn over the ball, they were unable to capitalise and were five points adrift at the half-way stage.

Oldham made an attacking change for the third quarter, introducing Alexa Collier for Charlie Beenham in goal attack.

It proved to be a good move. The Oldham centre court applied more pressure on their opponents, which told with some wayward balls from the normally accurate Oaksway side.

This allowed Oldham’s defence to turn over the ball with more regularity, and the new shooting combination duly scored from the opportunity.

Still trailing by five going into the last quarter, Oldham clawed their way back to within one goal in a blistering opening.

Another defensive turnover levelled the scores, before Oldham went ahead for the first time in the match.

Unfortunately, Oldham were denied the win at the death, firstly with a wayward effort and then a dubious umpiring decision which allowed Oaksway to convert a penalty shot after the final whistle.