Leeds Rhinos secured another win in a never-ending battle over a fierce Severn Stars side, following their important victory over Sirens last weekend. After Severn Stars first centre pass resulted in a goal, the Rhinos soon bounced back to get themselves on the scoreboard early on.  There was no doubt that throughout the court the battle was on for both sides. Stars attack began to find Rowe with some long bombs from the middle third but Rhea Dixon used her composure to pop another goal in for her side. After Nia jones and Lucy Harris being punished with a caution around circle edge, Rhinos gained a two goal advantage with Brie Grierson working relentlessly in attack to deliver ball. The early vision into Severn stars was something Stars attack began to capitalise on throughout these first 12 minutes, making it hard for Paige Kindred and Vicki Oyesola to compete with 6ft 5 Georgia Rowe. Ending the last second of the quarter, was the fearless 18 year old Sienna Rushton who left her team on a one goal lead proceeding into the 2^nd quarter. After a steady start for both sides, no changes were made advancing into the second quarter. Rhinos come out fighting against an opposing team who were hungry for their second win this season with Georgia Rowe still remaining with a 100% shooting accuracy.  Stars defensive wall picked up another interception, giving them at a two goal lead, but the tracking of Hollingworth forced Dyke to the sideline and resulted in Paige Kindred rewarding the team with an intercept. Herdman soon responded to this with an intercept for the Stars team, the flurry of 60 second action from both sides showed there was no slowing down with just 5 minutes till half time. A substitution for Rhinos, seeing Magee come on for GD and taking their biggest goal lead yet of four. The defensive pressure from Rhinos prevented Stars first phase centre pass being delivered, challenging the ease Stars have previously had in attack with taking the ball down court. A missed goal from Stars, gave Rhinos another chance to maximise their lead and then another last second shot, from Rushton ending the first half with a score of 22-18. A positive start from both sides resulted in a close score and Rhinos were desperate to find their flow going in the championship quarter. A thrilling second half was on its way! Stars continued with same seven players on court, but the Rhinos brought Vicki Oyesola back on at GD and Emily Hollingworth to the bench. Both sides struggled to control attack in the first minutes of quarter 3  but the availability of Rushton began to make it easy for Rhinos attack to have a more direct path to goal, enabling them to continue to create goal scoring opportunities for the shooting duo with Dixon. Swings around the circle edge from Rhinos, silenced Stars defense and Rhinos kept a four goal lead. Changes were made with five minutes remaining, with Jade Clarke moving back to WD, to close down Dyke’s passages of play and Amelia Hall entering the court at centre. Rhinos defensive change left Stars, not wanting to send ball to pocket and when doing so were punished by Oyesola scanning the game with a great intercept. A quick ball from Dixon to Rushton in the final seconds of quarter 2 was not enough to end this combat of a quarter with a goal, but the result of Stars missed opportunities sees Rhinos face a final 12 minute battle with a four goal lead. Leeds Rhinos were set up for another quarter of grind to enable them to take the win, as Severn Stars continued to challenge. Tuaine Keenan made her return to court from a previous injury with a pick up for her Rhinos side, nonetheless Stars were chasing for a victory, with another intercept from Dyke setting Rowe up for yet another goal. Keenan found her feet back on court with ease, as the early long balls from Stars midcourt were now being challenged and every attacking move became a struggle for them. Dixon came through with an intercept followed by opening up the court for Rushton time after time, revealing the outstanding work rate she has given for her side to take the win with just minutes left on the court. Stars were not finished yet, with another goal to Rowe, narrowing Rhinos lead to just two. Despite this, the Rhinos defense brought the ball back up court, after a missed shot, for their final time with another goal from Rushton as they secured another victory on round 7. Rhinos Netball face Manchester thunder on the 28^th march, in the hope for another great performance, following tonight’s victory.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	FINAL SCORE
HOME TEAM	10	12	10	10	42
AWAY TEAM	9	9	10	10	38

TEAMS

Home Team GK: Paige Kindred, GD: Vicki Oyesola, WD: Emily Hollingworth, C: Jade Clarke, WA: Brie Grieson GA: Rhea Dixon, GS: Sienna Rushton Substitutes: Amelia Hall, Leanne Kennedy, Michelle Magee, Tuaine Keenan Away Team GK: Lucy Herdman, GD: Iman Thomas, WD: Nia Jones, C: Lucy Harris, WA: Beth Dyke, GA: Paige Reed, GS: Georgia Rowe Substitutes: Dee Bolakoro, Chloe Carchrie, Issy Eaton, Malysha Kelly, Jane Taylor