Manchester Thunder came out on top in the second War of the Roses match with a dominant 47-66 win against Leeds Rhinos. Both sides started nervously and were unable to capitalise on turnovers, but it was Thunder who settled the quicker of the teams and gaining a three-goal advantage. It wasn’t long before Rhinos found their feet throughout the court with the fearlessness from Rhea Dixon and Brie Grierson to release the ball straight into the circle to Donnell Wallam bringing them back level. A few unforced errors in the final moments of the first quarter saw Thunder go up by four goals before heading into the second period. Thunder extended their lead in the opening moments of the second quarter, with their attacking end proving why they are the reigning Superleague champions. Amelia Hall came on in the centre position with Jade Clarke moving to the Wing Defence position mid-way through the quarter and not long after Paige Kindred came on in the Goal Defence position. Going into half-time a confident looking Thunder side extended their lead to 10 goals, with connections through the court not quite clicking for Rhinos. Fi Toner was welcomed back to court in the third quarter after returning from an injury that has seen her sidelined since round two. Thunder continued to pile the pressure on in all areas of the court and despite early turnovers from Rhinos, Thunder further extended their lead to 13 halfway through the third quarter and to 20 with three minutes to go. Rhinos upped the defensive pressure in the final quarter, with excellent steals from Emily Hollingworth and Tuaine Keenan to narrow the gap to 17 mid-way through the period. The dominant display from Thunder proved to be too much for Rhinos despite winning the final quarter by one goal and remain in sixth position in the table heading into a two week break before facing Saracens Mavericks on 25^th April.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	FINAL SCORE
HOME TEAM	11	9	10	17	47
AWAY TEAM	15	15	20	16	66

TEAMS

Home Team GK Tuaine Keenan GD Vicki Oyesola WD Emily Hollingworth C Jade Clarke WA Brie Grierson GA Rhea Dixon GS Donnell Wallam Substitutes: Amelia Hall, Rosie Harris, Paige Kindred, Sienna Rushton, Fi Toner Away Team GK Kerry Almond GD Rebekah Airey WD Laura Malcom C Amy Carter WA Caroline O’Hanlon GA Eleanor Cardwell GS Joyce Mvula Substitutes: Elia McCormick, Lois Pearson, Alicia Scholes, Ella Strandring, Berri Neil