Draw halts Oldham’s long winning streak

Sarah Carter was captain in her last appearance for Oldham

NETBALL: 
 
DESPITE leading at halfway, reigning champions Oldham were held to a 48-48 draw at New Cambell in the Netball Premier League.

The result ended a two-year winning sequence for coach Debbie Hallas’ side, who recovered from a three-goal deficit in the final quarter to claim the draw.

Hallas hinted that complacency might have cost her side victory: “I have mixed feelings as we could and should have won the game - but the girls showed spirit in clawing back at the end.

“The third quarter was our downfall, we didn’t learn from our mistakes and kept making them.

“We have won every game for the last two years until now and maybe it is a little bit of complacency kicking in, but hopefully we can eradicate this for our home match against Thoroughbreds on Sunday.”

The hosts raced into an early 5-2 lead as Oldham defenders Kerry Almond and Sarah Carter struggled to contain the experienced shooters.

Oldham, who last dropped points against Team Bath Toucans on October 9, 2011, eventually got into the game with several turnovers, and shooters Kathryn Turner and Helen Housby started to find space beneath the post. They finished the quarter 15-14 in front.

The sides were goal-for-goal after the restart until the introduction of Gabby Marshall at wing defence swung the pendulum in the visitors’ favour.

Leading 29-26 at half-time, switches - including a move from goal defence to goal keeper for Sarah Carter, captain for the day in her last game before moving to Australia - failed to spur Oldham and Cambell closed the third quarter three goals up.

Another change for the final period did the trick: a turnover with 90 seconds left, followed by a converted centre, brought the scores to 48 each. Oldham had an opportunity to snatch it at the death, but a loose pass was intercepted.