By Saskia Holland

Leeds Rhinos suffered a marginal defeat in a well contested game against Manchesater Thunder at the AO Arena. The game ended 65-63.

The game started with a goal to Leeds Rhinos scored by Ellie Bird.  Vicki Oyesola exited the circle with an attempt to intercept the ball on the circle edge but she was unsuccessful and the ball was fed into Lenize Potgieter who got the goal.

Amy Carter won the ball on Leeds Rhinos centre pass which was then bought down court by her team and finished by Potgieter.

The game was level, 6-6, but Amy Carter got the intercept on Leeds Rhinos centre pass and the goal was scored by Potgieter, shortly followed by another goal by to go 8-6 up.

Ella Bowen won the ball on the centre pass but an offside call for her team allowed Leeds Rhinos another chance which they used to their advantage and Bird scored for Leeds Rhinos 9-8.

Nia Jones stepped up and after receiving the centre pass off Elle McDonald she found Bird with a long feed who put up the shot.

After that the score was level again, Brie Grierson got her first goal of the game, resulting in Leeds Rhinos leading 12-11.

Michelle Magee gained a clean intercept on Manchester Thunders centre pass, the ball was bought down court and contact against Josie Huckle allowed Bird to add another, 16-14.

The quarter ended with a goal from Potgieter in the final 3 seconds with Leeds Rhinos winning 17-15.

The second quarter started with a goal for Bird to extend her teams lead after Bowen was alled for contact on the circle edge.

Caroline O’Hanlon fed the ball into Bird who was unable to control it but passed it into court back into O’Hanlons hands and then received the pass to score another.

O’Hanlon looked back to use her team but she misjudged her pass and it landed in Lois Pearsons hands. Manchester Thunder worked the ball down court and the goal was scored by Potgieter.

Manchester Thunder brought the score back to level (21-21) but it was their defence who broke the play of Leeds Rhinos and went ahead.

Lots of defensive pressure from Leeds Rhinos stopped Manchester Thunder from getting a final goal. The first half ended 35-32.

Oyesola disrupted Manchester Thunders attack but the ball went off court in favour of Manchester Thunder. Magee won the ball back for Leeds Rhinos and Bird converted for her team.

Emma Dovey got the intercept across the goal and Manchester Thunder took it down court straight into the hands of Potgieter who converted.

Potgieter was unable to keep the ball and quick reactions from O’Hanlon meant she was able to pick it up and move it down the court finally reaching Bird.

Manchester Thunders defence worked hard and forced Leeds Rhinos to play the ball around until Reed was able to make space and received the ball to get the goal.

The final quarter began with the score sitting at 50-47 to the hosts. Oyesola made an incredible intercept but she was unable to pass it to her team mates and it was intercepted by Manchester Thunder.

A missed shot for the hosts was picked up by Leeds Rhinos and Huckle was called for contact with Reed taking advantage of this chance.

A feed from O’Hanlon into Bird meant Leeds Rhinos went back to level with Manchester Thunder, 58-58.

Leeds Rhinos forced Iona Christian to hold the ball for 3 seconds in the centre circle which gave the visitors another chance to go ahead. Reed fed the ball into Bird but it landed in the hands of Huckle and her team converted.

Time denied one last goal for either team and the game ended 65-63.

 REPLACEMENTS: Iona Christian, Emma Dovey, Harriet Jones, Pippa Morgan, Ruby Parker

 REPLACEMENTS:  Amy Braithwaite, Millie Sanders, Jemma Donoghue, Rosie Harris, Paige Reed