Leaders finish with a flourish

NETBALL:

IN the first game of a busy Premier League One weekend, Oldham Netball Club swept aside lowly Leyton 70-43.

Coach Debbie Hallas rested a couple of players and brought in the experienced trio of Suzy Chapman, Karen Grieg and Danni Bloomfield.

Oldham were also strengthened by the return of Kerry Almond from injury.

The first quarter saw Chapman, Helen Housby and Grieg link well in the circle as Oldham built up a 13-10 lead.

The pressure continued to mount on Leyton in the second quarter, with the defence of Almond and Sarah Carter forcing errors.

Leading 31-17 at the mid-way point, Hallas took the opportunity to use all of her substitutes.

But despite the introduction of Krista Enziano, Kathryn Turner, Rachel Henry and Emma Dovey, Oldham could not get in a comfortable rhythm and the quarter ended in a draw.

Still, with an overall 45-31 lead, Oldham regrouped and scored seven goals in a row without Leyton having a shot.

Enziano netted 18 out of 18 as the leaders took the final quarter 25-12.