Oldham secure bragging rights

Kathryn Turner

OLDHAM Netball Club dug deep to deny derby rivals Tameside 47-42 in the National Premier League.

A crowd of more than 200 watched events unfold at the Oldham Leisure Centre, and they were treated to a close-fought encounter.

The hosts and league leaders struck early with a treble, only for Tameside to respond with three goals of their own. This set the tone for the match.

Great defensive work from Kerry Almond, Emma Dovey and Abby Tyrell enabled Oldham to end the quarter holding a 13-10 lead.

They carried on the good work on the restart, with shooters Krista Enziano and player-of-the-match Kathryn Turner converting opportunities carved out by the centre-court pairing of Maria McAndrew and Amelia Hall.

With a 26-19 advantage at the half-time break, Oldham seemed to have matters under control.

Local pride was at stake, though, and Tameside re-emerged with a point to prove. The shooters found their range and capitalised on unforced errors throughout the court.

Oldham were also guilty of ill-discipline and towards the end of the quarter Tameside had reduced the deficit to just two goals.

A time-out was called by Oldham, with Susie Armstrong entering the court and Dovey moving to wing defence.

Oldham responded with three unanswered goals, but it was Tameside who won the quarter 14-12.

With the overall scoreline 38-33 in Oldham's favour, it was anyone's game.

Oldham coach Debbie Hallas asked for patient play from her charges, but the fourth quarter proved a scrappy affair with possession given away cheaply by the home side in their attempt to stretch away.

Both teams made errors and with only minutes remaining the Oldham had a slender three-goal lead.

However, Oldham saw out the game out two final goals.

For the neutral supporter, the match had everything - moments of brilliance, physical encounters throughout the court and errors by two teams, who were determined to come away local bragging rights.

Oldham were tested to the limit but remained calm when it was needed most to grind out another vital five points and retain their position at the top of the league table.

Oldham starting seven: GK Kerry Almond, GD Emma Dovey, WD Abby Tyrell, C Maria McAndrew, GA Kathryn Turner, GS Krista Enziano.

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