Oldham down rivals in decisive display

KATHRYN TURNER: dominant in the attacking circle for Oldham.

NETBALL: BOOSTED by the return of several senior players, Oldham Netball Club took another step towards claiming the Premier League title for a fourth consecutive season with a thumping 57-37 win over The Downs.

The home side started brightly at Hathershaw College — Kathryn Turner commanded the attacking

circle — and were 17-7 ahead after the opening quarter.

Oldham coach Debbie Hallas reshuffled her pack and The Downs, from Surrey, upped their game in the second quarter. Even so, the table-toppers extend their lead to 29-16 by half time.

Jodie Gibson and Rachel Henry took to the court for the second half with Turner returning to goal attack. But it wasn’t until the end of the third quarter that Oldham found a rhythm showing speed and accuracy across the court to storm to 41-25.

Beth Cobden returned to wing attack and Emma Dovey wing defence for the final quarter, while Gibson, hungry for turnovers, was at goal keeper. Oldham saw out the game comfortably to move closer to retaining their crown.