Leaders exact revenge

NETBALL: OLDHAM recovered from a tardy start to gain revenge on Team Bath Tucans in National Premier League One.

The visitors are the only side to defeat Oldham this season, and they were unable to make it a double after the local outfit won 46-44.

The home side found themselves five goals adrift in the opening quarter but, with the centre court of Maria McAndrew and Dani Bloomfield turning the ball over and releasing shooter Krista Enziano, they entered the first break all-square at 11-11.

The leaders stepped up the pace in the second quarter, with Enziano continuing to impress (88-per-cent strike rate) and captain Kerry Almond doing some great work at the back.

Leading 26-22 at half-time and with a Northern Thunder game 24 hours later, changes were made.

Australian Janelle Lawson and debutant Alice Travis slotted into the shooting circle, Laura Malcolm and Rachael Taylor took to the centre court and Emma Dovey came on at goal defence with Georgie Webster moving to ’keeper.

Travis (15) shone immediately, claiming two high balls and putting them away confidently.

Bath just couldn’t penetrate the circle and constantly found themselves retreating to their defence.

With the advantage at eight points, it was Oldham’s game to lose, and they almost did in the final quarter.

Bath poured forward and by the end they had reduced the gap to a couple of points.

Oldham coach Debbie Hallas said: “We played some great netball but we just weren’t consistent.

“We started the first and fourth quarters like we had never played together before.

“The defence were awesome in the third quarter, which is something to build on. I was also impressed with Alice Travis on debut.”