Oldham grind out important away-day win

NETBALL: 

OLDHAM Netball Club’s National Premier League side had to dig deep to beat Oaksway of Hartlepool 47-36.

The opening was cagey, with goals and turnovers traded regularly.

Oldham eventually grabbed hold of proceedings with player of the match Emma Dovey and Kerry Almond thwarting the home side - which in turn saw Maria McAndrew feed the shooting pair of Kathryn Turner and Krista Enziano.

Leading by two points at the first break, Oldham ramped up the pressure in the second, thanks to the efforts of Taylor Cullen and Amy Neild. Oldham’s advantage was 25-14 at half-time, at which stage coach Debbie Hallas introduced Abby Tyrrell and Iona Darroch.

The visitors continued to put in a decent shift, although some wayward shooting allowed Oaksway to cut the deficit.

An intercept by Darroch saw Oldham put daylight between themselves and their opponents.

The low-scoring affair had some last-quarter spark with outstanding defensive work and missed chances by both sides. Oldham held on to clinch a vital victory