Phew! Late show seals Oldham win

Shannon Westwood.

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NETBALL: OLDHAM’S Northern League side made a blistering start against Chester — but it required a big effort in the final quarter to clinch victory.

Spearheaded by captain Suzy Chapman, the hosts recorded a nail-biting 48-46 win at Hathershaw Sports Centre.

Oldham dominated the opening period against a side which featured two Wales internationals.

With eight turnovers, fast feeding from centre Harriet Gill and excellent shooting from Alice Travis (goal shooter) and Shannon Westwood (goal attack), the home team built up an impressive 18-9 lead.

The defence was also in great form, with Megan Tann, Gemma McDermott and Amber Hazelton forcing Chester into making several unforced errors.

The second quarter was a different story, with the visitors piling on the pressure and reducing the deficit to five points (26-21).

And Oldham, who brought on Gabby Marshall at goal attack and Olivia Jarvis (wing attack) at the halfway stage, found themselves trailing 38-36 at the end of the third quarter.

It was all change again in the fourth, with Kirsty Bloomfield (wing defence), Westwood back at goal attack, Marshall (wing attack) and Jarvis (centre) moving into different positions.

The changes paid off as the youngsters edged into a narrow lead.

One point separated the sides with a minute to go when Tann made a key interception from the Chester shooter.

Oldham held on to the ball and managed scored a penalty for a two-point win.