Oldham’s six of the best

NETBALL:

OLDHAM emerged from a long journey to claim a 51-44 win against bogey team Bournemouth Sevens Blades in the National Premier League.

Finding shooter Krista Enziano with ease, the visitors ended the first quarter six points to the good at 14-8, before several unforced errors saw the Blades reduce the deficit by one.

The home team carried on their good spell into the third, claiming the spoils 13-10 to make it all to play for entering the final quarter.

Rachel Henry moved to wing defence as Oldham rotated their centre court, with Dani Bloomfield switching to centre and Maria McAndrew taking up a role at wing attack. The changes didn't work initially, as the Blades surged in front for the first time. Then, as if a switch was flicked, Oldham turned it on as Bloomfield gritted her teeth and dictated play in the middle.

Supplying player of the match Enziano with effective balls, Oldham scored six times in a row to claim the spoils.



OLDHAM'S under-14s saw off visitors Blackpool by the comfortable score 79-9. A healthy first-quarter advantage enabled the ante to be upped in the second. Excellent shooting and intelligent play from girl-of-the-match Rhianna Egan, coupled with numerous interceptions and strong defending in the opposite circle by Abigail Tyrrell and Jessica Dale, brought the score up to 41-4.

Imogen Campbell Heanue took over the goal shooting mantle in the third, giving six-foot shooter Amy Clinton a rest.

Chimna Ebizie also came on at goal defence and made six interceptions, handing Oldham a 56-6 lead going into the final quarter.

Clinton then returned to notch 21 goals from 22 shots as Oldham saw the game out with ease.



THE under-16s did almost as well in defeating Blackpool 81-17. Dominating the first quarter, Oldham's Alice Travis racked up 21 goals from 23 shots while superb defending made the visitors' life a misery.

Heading into the second 25-5 up, goal shooter Travis and goal attack Siobhan McLaughlin were taken off, with Natalie Hulme taking up the shooting duties and Gabrielle Marshall moving to goal attack.

The changes allowed Blackpool into the contest and at halfway the lead was 34-9.

Fantastic play and interceptions by Georgie Webster and Marshall saw Oldham dominate the third to hold a 59-15 lead, while fantastic defending from goal keeper Ellie Owen and Webster kept Blackpool down to two further scores.