London Pulse 66 Leeds Rhinos Netball 34

Leeds Rhinos Netball suffered a big defeat against play-off contenders London Pulse at the Copper Box Arena in Round 11 of the Netball Super League.

Liana Leota named an unchanged squad for the fixture, with Caroline O'Hanlon still ruled out with injury, meaning training partner Cassie Howard retained her place in the match day 12.

After claiming their first win in their previous fixture Rhinos netball were eager for a successful performance. Expecting a tough fixture against now top of the table London Pulse, Rhinos knew they needed to be patient on attack and utilise every ball the defence turned over.

Leeds started well and matched Pulse goal for goal for the opening ten minutes but the hosts grew into the game and were able to unsettle the Rhinos with their impressive defence, whilst converting their chance to see them go in after the first quarter with a seven goal lead.

Vicki Oyesola was the one to create the turnover and Ellie Bird rewarded her by putting it through the net 4-6. Pulse fought back with intent and the game was soon level at 9 a piece. A couple of unforced errors from Rhinos saw Pulse quickly out to a seven goal lead 17-10.

Oyesola made another tip however this time round Pulse regained possession in the goal third. Tight defensive pressure from Rhinos forced the ball off the backline for Pulse and it was Paige Reed who put the shot through the net 18-13. Pulse ended the first quarter at speed and with a seven goal lead 20-13.

No changes were made to start the second quarter and all players put their body’s on the line in aim to come out with ball. Reed remained clam and the gap remained at 7, 21-14. Oyesola spotted blood on a pulse player and alerted the umpire forcing the player to leave the court. The ball went between both sides as Olivia Tchine came back onto court, the gap was then ten 28-18.

Despite valiant effort from Oyesola and Jemma Donoghue who worked together to create a couple of turnovers it was Pulse who continued to extend their lead out to twelve 32-20. Elle Mcdonald then moved to C, Rosie Harris moved to WD and Brie Grierson entered the game at WA. A breaking call went against Rhinos on their last centre of the half allowing the home side Pulse to enter the break thirteen goals ahead 34-21.

 Leota made some changes for the start of the second half. Cassie Howard entered the game at C, Grierson moved into GA, Mcdonald moved back to WA. Rhinos take their centre pass to goal quickly but tight defensive pressure from Pulse and a few unforced errors from Rhinos allowed the home side to extend their lead out to sixteen 39-24.

 Pulse continued to turnover ball and their lead grew bigger and bigger reaching nineteen with a couple of minutes remaining on the clock of quarter three, 45-26. Magee entered the game at GD. Oyesola made two interceptions but on both occasions neither of them were converted. With one second remaining Rhinos took their last centre, time denied them of a goal meaning Pulse held a twenty two goal lead at the third quarter break 48-26

For the final quarter Millie Sanders took the GK bib, Nia Jones to WD and Amy Braithwaite came on at GS. Braitwaite held strong inside the circle under tight Pulse pressure and scored the first two goals for her side. A call then goes against Grierson which the Rhinos bench and the crowd are surprised at. Pulse remain unfazed and take the ball to goal at speed before Rhinos defence can get back, 58-30.

With just a few minutes on the board and such a lard deficit Rhinos remained resilient and continued to have some excellent passages of play. Jones created a tip but a call went against her giving possession back to Pulse. Pulse continued to be clinical in attack and added another eight goals meaning they finished the game with a thirty-two goal lead, 66-34.

Rhinos next game is a home fixture against Saracens Mavericks at the Leeds First Direct Arena. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.firstdirectarena.c...

Pulse

GK: Halimat Adio
GD: Funmi Fadoju 
WD: Zara Everitt
Centre: Jade Clark
WA: Chelsea Pitman
GA: Berri Neil
GS: Olivia Tchine

Replacements: Ashleigh Dekker, Lindsay Keable, Sacha McDonald, Ellie Rattu, Alicia Scholes 

Rhinos

GK: Vicki Oyesola
GD: Jemma donoghue
WD: Nia Jones
Centre: Rosie Harris
WA: Elle Mcdonald
GA: Paige Reed
GS: Ellie Bird

Replacements: 

Amy Braithwaite, Brie Grierson, Cassie Howard, Michelle Magee, Millie Sanders