Youngsters count cost of tardy start

NETBALL:

A YOUNG Oldham side paid the price for a sluggish start in their Northern League clash at home to Bury.

The local outfit trailed by 23-11 in the early stages, before eventually succumbing 67-47 to their neighbours. In an attempt to stem the tide of goals, Oldham brought on defender Gemma McDermott for Olivia Jarvis.

The hosts did improve, but their more experienced opponents had built up a 39-22 lead by the midway point. Oldham made more changes at the half-way point, bringing on Gabby Marshall at wing defence and moving Jarvis to centre and Harriet Gill to wing attack.

This proved to be the best combination of the match as Oldham held Bury to a 14-14 draw in the third quarter.

And although victory was out of reach, Oldham gave as good as they got in the final quarter.

Pam Hazelton, the Oldham coach said, said: “The average age of our squad was 16-and-a-half-years.

“I was very impressed our performance, particularly Olivia Jarvis, who was my player of the match.”