Leeds Rhinos Netball began their Netball Super League season with a disappointing defeat against Severn Stars in the Season Opener at the Motorpoint Arena.

Head Coach, Liana Leota named seven new players in her squad, including newly appointed captain Geva Mentor, who made her return to the competition after a 15-year absence.  The game was also a landmark one for Northern Ireland international Caroline O'Hanlon who ran out for he 150th Super League appearance.

O'Hanlon got the game underway with the first centre pass, but they were unable to convert with Joyce Mvula missing the shot and former Rhinos player Sigi Burger taking her early opportunity to give Stars the lead.  Young England Futures player Harriet Jones got her Rhinos career off to a positive start with an early goal.

Errors from the Rhinos meant they were unable to gain momentum and Stars punished them, building up a 6-2 lead. Michelle Magee worked hard in the defence and made plenty of interceptions but Leeds failed to make the most of their chances and Stars went in with a 12-7 lead after the first quarter.

Mvula got the first goal of the second quarter, but Stars remained in control and Leeds continued to fall foul of the referee to make their comeback task harder.  Amelia Hall returned to the court and the Rhinos, after a year away from the game, and she made an instant impact, feeding Mvula from the circle edge and the shooter made it 21-17.  Stars kept up the pressure and scored 16 goals during the quarter to stretch their lead to eight goals at the halftime break.

Leeds looked sharper at the start of the third quarter and the units worked hard to reduce Stars' lead to four goals, but again individual errors proved costly for Leeds and the strength of Stars meant they were able to rebuild their lead to ten goals behind heading into the last quarter.

Emma Magee came on for her debut in the final quarter and made an instant impact with her first touch of the ball, which brought an intercept and she then converted with her own goal.  Leeds managed nine goals in the last 15 minutes, but Stars continued to dominate and added 15 goals to secure the 57-41 win.