Second place for Oldham starlets

OLDHAM Netball Club ended their National Premier League campaign in second place after beating New Campbell 64-50 in their final game.

Coach Debbie Hallas paraded a young side once again, with only two of the 10 players over the age of 20. But the court time and experience of the young players paid off.

Oldham started slow, taking time to get used to the experienced heads of the away side’s attacks, and went in at the break 15-13 down.

The second quarter was a different affair, with Oldham playing some free-flowing netball. Amy Clinton, still on a high from making her Superleague debut for Manchester Thunder, was beginning to stamp her authority, taking some great catches and sinking shots from all over the circle.

Kathryn Turner was leading from the front and working hard in front of Clinton, allowing Iona Darroch and Gabs Marshall to find the youngster with ease. Oldham took the quarter 21-9 and led 34-24 at half-time.

Changes halted Oldham’s flow, but the lead was too great to give Campbell any hope with their depleted squad and it was 47-36 going into the final quarter.

The finale saw Jess Dale join and come up with three interceptions in the space of a few minutes -the team failing to follow through on two of them.

It didn’t matter in the end and the home side extended its lead to win 64-50.

Unfortunately for Oldham the win was in vain: Academy beat the Downs to top the table and win the league by four points.

Despite losing their crown, Hallas was upbeat about her young players: We’ve gone through a rebuilding phase this season and to finish so close with such a young squad bodes well for the future.”