Oldham toast title!

Oldham’s players toast their Premier League Division One title.

NETBALL:

OLDHAM Netball Club were already Premier League Division One champions before their final fixture against Team Bath Toucans.

But they were determined to wrap up the season with a 100-per-cent record — which they did, thanks to an emphatic 72-41 victory.

Coach Debbie Hallas rested England players Emma Dovey, Laura Malcolm and Beth Cobden, who had just returned from an international tour.

The first quarter saw Bath go 10-4 ahead, only for Oldham to storm back, to lead 16-13.

Helen Housby went on in the second quarter at goal attack, with Travis up to goal shooter. The change did the trick: Oldham stormed into a 39-21 lead. Sticking with the same line-up in the third quarter, Oldham saw Bath find some flow and score 12 goals to Oldham’s 15.

Hallas turned to experience - Rachel Henry and Kathryn Turner - for the last quarter of the season.

Hallas said: “I was so happy for the team. They are a fantastic group, who make my job so much easier.

“They didn’t start the game well, as has been a bit of a theme to the season, but once they got into their stride they were unstoppable.”



THUNDER made a superb start to phase two of the Fiat Superleague season with a 48-32 defeat of Yorkshire Jets.

Kerry Almond was back in the ranks in a close-fought game which reached 22-19 at half time.

But Thunder dominated the second period.