Oldham took home the trophy for the third year running at the 2019 National Clubs U14 Finals as they overcame YWCA Bury in an all North West final.
In doing so, Oldham also completed a remarkable run which saw them secure a perfect record across the two days of action.
The top teams from all over the UK took their U14 squads to the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May to battle it out to be crowned the best in the country.
Eighteen sides set out their stall to make it through the rounds where two days of impressive netball were contested.
Defending champions Oldham laid down a clear marker to the competition by winning both their opening Section F games by a margin of 21 goals, beating Market Harborough (37-16) and Poole (32-11).
Hatfield (Section A), YWCA Bury (Section B), Brigg (Section C), Team Matrix (Section D) and Turnford (Section E) also started strongly by bagging two wins from their first fixtures.
One of the fixtures of the round was the nail-bitingly close Section C match between Chevrons and Yendys, which ended in favour of Yendys as they edged out their Yorkshire opponents 12-13.
There was also nothing to separate Market Harborough and Poole – Oldham’s Section F opposition – as their clash finished 20-20 to round off the first morning session.
Oldham’s results saw them progress into Group X, in which they continued their impressive performances to dominate both Chevrons (won 6-38) and Grangetown NC (won 15-33) to finish day one unbeaten.
Their convincing opening-day display meant that they were regrouped into the section competing for places 1-6 on day two.
The well-drilled outfit sailed through Group 2 as they ran out victorious against Team Matrix (10-33) and once again dispatched Market Harborough (with it finishing 44-11 this time) to set up an all North West final against YWCA Bury.
YWCA Bury turned heads and also completed a clean sweep as they made it through to this year’s final.
They topped Group B by edging out both Eagles Netball Club (22-30) and Leeds Athletic (27-10) before seeing off Lovell Titan Warriors (21-33) and AP Saints (29-13) after a re-jig of the groups.
Bury picked up where they left off on day two and found themselves up against familiar faces from day one in Eagles and Leeds Athletic.
They once again overcame their opponents, winning 20-27 against Eagles and 24-14 against Leeds Athletic to seal their spot in the grand finale.
The U14 final was a hotly-contested and close game with both sides giving it everything to get their hands on the trophy.
Bury started strongly and led 8-6 at the end of the opening quarter but Oldham fought back in the second to cut the deficit to just one goal at half-time (15-14 to Bury).
It was the third quarter that proved decisive as Oldham drew level before taking the lead for the first time and never looking back to take the title with a 27-31 win.
Meanwhile, Eagles Netball Club finished third and took home the bronze medal after a convincing 27-12 victory over Market Harborough.
A full list of results from the 2019 National Clubs U14 Finals can be viewed here.
England Netball would like to congratulate all teams for reaching the finals and wish to thank all of the players, coaches, officials, supporters and volunteers for a fantastic weekend.
Photo credit: Oldham Netball Twitter
