Oldham respond after tardy start

KIRSTY BLOOMFIELD

NETBALL:

HIGH-FLYING Oldham overcame a sluggish start to sweep aside hosts and basement girls Northwich Sapphires 45-23 in the Northern League.

The local outfit were told in no uncertain terms at the end of the first quarter what they needed to do — and they responded to the coach’s urging.

Goal attack Shannon Westwood led the way, finding the net with ease. There were still too many unforced errors and the entire centre court was replaced at half-time. Kirsty Bloomfield took over at wing attack, Rachel Bolton played at centre and Charlotte Stafford was deployed at wing defence.

Bloomfield made an immediate impact, with some great attacking moves pulling the Sapphires’ defence apart and creating space in attack.

Oldham piled on the pressure and built up a match-winning advantage. But the clash was like a tennis match at times, with the ball going backwards and forwards without a goal being scored.

Oldham’s defence of Megan Tann and Gemma McDermott put in fine displays and consistently turned over the ball before sending it back to the attack.

Although Oldham were convincing winners to stay top-of-the-table, Sapphires picked up their first point of the season by gaining more than half the visitors’ score.