Shepherd leads Oldham to glory

OVER TO YOU . . . Oldham Netball Club's Gemma McDermott looks to pick out a team-mate.

THREE points separated leaders Oldham and Tameside in the North-West Premier League before this derby meeting ­- and it was the former who prevailed 60-42 at the Oldham Sports Centre.

But it was all Tameside in the opening stages as they opened up a 5-0 lead, only for the hosts to level things up.

The momentum was with Oldham, and they ended the quarter 14-10 in front.

Winning key turnovers, they had edged 25-20 ahead at the half-way point, although they lost Victoria Austin through injury after she had taken a nasty fall. Amy Neild stepped in at wing attack.

Oldham were much better in the third quarter, with the team sticking to their task. The shooters were in great form, with Chloe Shepherd successful with all of her 14 attempts, as the lead stretched to 41-32.

Tameside were the first on the board in the fourth but Oldham responded with a flurry of goals. Player of the match Shepherd finished with a 98-per-cent (48 out of 49) completion rate. Oldham coach Suzy Ashworth said: "It was a great performance."

Oldham: GS Chloe Shepherd, GA Sarah Brennan, WA Victoria Austin, C Ebbie Danson-Chappell, WD Amber Hazelton, GD Gemma McDermott, GK Zoe Mallinder. Replacements: Amy Neild, Isobel Hallam, Kim Meadows, Rachel Ftizsimmons.

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