Oldham hit the heights

HAT-TRICK . . . Oldham Sixth Form College won the Greater Manchester round of the All-England Schools Netball Championships for the third time on the trot. Pictured are Ellis Kate Garnett (back row, left), Rachel Teal, Suzi Foulds (coach), Lorna Keating (coach), Elanor Gent, Joanna Drake, Meg Harris (middle, left), Amy Needham, Becky Gregory, Bryony Allen, Leanne Murphy (front, left) and Kerry Hopkins. Not pictured: Becky Smith

NETBALL: OLDHAM Netball, with Shannon Westwood impressing on debut, moved to the top of the Northern League with a hard-fought 48-40 win over YWCA Bury.

The local outfit started tentatively and struggled to feed possession to the shooters, although when the ball did get through, they were always on target and boasted a 100-per-cent record in the first quarter.

But Oldham still trailed 12-11 and coach Pam Hazleton acted by bringing on Kirsty Bloomfield at wing attack.

This switch worked immediately, with much more care taken in finding the shooters.

Centre Leanne Murphy came into her own, consistently turning the ball over and driving towards the Bury end.

Oldham were 24-21 in front at the half-way point, and they continued to dominate in the third quarter, with 15-year-old Westwood showing maturity.

The teenager was successful with 27 shots from 29 attempts, and was ably supported by captain and goal attack Sarah Brennan, who scored 16 from 19.

Oldham, at this point, were in control and some great defensive play from Gemma McDermott, Amber Hazelton and Becky Smith shut out the Bury attack.

Oldham led by nine goals after the third quarter and this allowed for another 15-year-old Harriet Gill to make her debut.