Saracens Mavericks 62 Rhinos Netball 57

Leeds Rhinos travelled to Hertfordshire Sports Village to take on Saracens Mavericks in round 2 of the Netball Super League. After both sides suffered defeats at the season opener the weekend prior both sides were prepared for a fast and physical battle. Caroline O'Hanlon took the first centre pass which got the game underway. Elle McDonald and O’Hanlon connected well throughout the quarter with pinpoint accurate passes into Paige Reed and Ellie Bird. Tight defensive pressure from Rhinos forced Mavericks round the circle but they displayed patience on the ball and ended with a goal. Jodie Gibson tipped the ball multiple times but Bird and Reed held her off well and kept the goals adding to the teams tally. Vicki Oyesola took a turnover from a Mavericks centre which allowed Rhinos to take an early two goal lead. The game was quickly back level at seven a piece. Rhinos were determined to have a strong start and Bird held off Gibson to pop it over into Reed. A few unforced errors from Mavericks handed Rhinos a three goal lead after they converted two Mavericks centres as well as one of their own. Rhinos lost a ball off the backline, as well as being called for a replayed ball which saw Mavericks level the game at 11 all. Gibson went out on the fly which allowed McDonald to find Bird home alone under the post 11-12. Magee tussled to keep the ball, but Rhinos lost it off the backline. With twenty seconds left for Mavericks a missed shot denied them of a goal and there was not enough time on the clock for Rhinos to take a goal on the buzzer. To start the second quarter there was no changes to the seven on court for Rhinos. Reed continued with a lovely high shot to get over the long arms of Mavericks defence. Again McDonald and O’Hanlon combined well allowing Bird to add another to the tally. The game remained level for the majority of quarter two with possession being shared between both sides. McDonald displayed excellent vision into the circle allowing Reed and Bird to continue their shooting successes. Mavericks were the first team to break the even score by pulling out a two goal lead 22-20. Reed picked up a turnover as well as sinking two successive shots to re-level the game at 22 all. Mavericks showed some super speed into the circle but Rhinos remained patient and found Bird to keep the game level. A few unforced errors from Rhinos allowed Mavericks to put another couple of goals on the board to take a lead of two. With just under three minutes remaining Oyesola moved to GK, Michelle Magee took the GD bib and Cassie Howard entered the court at WD for her Rhinos debut. Again Reed took a shot and brought the game back level 28 - 28. A very messy end to the second quarter from both teams saw Mavericks enter the half time break with a one goal lead 29-28. Entering the second half Jones took to court for her debut in the WD bib. Mavericks were quicker out of blocks and put three on the board before Rhinos got their first. Jones maintained possession on the transverse line for Rhinos and Reed popped the ball over into Bird. After such a quick start to the second half from Mavericks they were out to a four goal lead, this didn’t faze Reed who sank another shot over the arms of Gibson. The gap remained a four as both sides converted their own centre passes until Rhinos lost ball in their attacking third. Sanders re-entered the game at GK. O’Hanlon got a tip and Reed managed to pick up the loose ball, Bird was left home alone under the post which allowed an easy pass into the circle. Centre court players, and defenders had excellent vision into Bird under the post, quickly reducing the deficit. Rhinos showed some real speed on the ball and a missed shot from Mavericks gave Rhinos an opportunity however a replayed ball gave possession back to the home side. There was twenty five seconds remaining and Mavericks took one more goal before the break 46-42. With such a tight game and just four goals between both sides there was no further changes entering the final quarter. Bird continued to stand tall, McDonald earned herself a turnover and Reed finished it off to reduce the gap to just two goals 47-45. Mavericks home crowd really intensified on the levels of noise in the final 10 minutes. Jones and Magee both took a touch but just couldn’t quite get a hold of the ball. Rhinos remained calm and patient to make sure they converted their own centre passes, and to bring the game back to a one goal game 49-48. A replayed ball from Rhinos gifted possession to the home side to the crowds delight, this saw them gain confidence and they took out a six goal lead with just six minutes remaining of the fixture. Reed continued her successes under the post but the gap remained at five goals for a couple of minutes. Jones earned a turnover but in what was a very important passage of play possession was lost off the backline. Both sides battled for each ball until the very final whistle with Mavericks taking three of Rhinos centre passes and Sanders taking an interception for Rhinos, all within the final couple of minutes of play. Mavericks took one last goal before leaving themselves with two seconds for the final centre pass. The game ended 62-57 in favour to home side Saracens Mavericks. Leeds Rhinos now take on Surrey Storm tomorrow at a sold out Leeds Beckett University, for the first home game within Yorkshire this season. This round 3 fixture is not televised or streamed however we will be providing live updates via twitter throughout the game. Tickets for other Leeds Rhinos home games across the Yorkshire region can be purchased via tickets.rhinosnetnetball.co.uk