By Tyler-Sue Chapman

Leeds Rhinos netball returned home to the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield. Despite a resilient performance they missed out on a win by one goal in the final seconds of the game, with the score ending 54-55. 

Visitors Dragons got the game underway and took an early three goal lead thanks to consecutive turnovers. Harriet Jones confused the opposition and found teammate Joyce Mvula under the post which reduced the gap to two. Rhinos defensive unit forced ball off the backline but it quickly moved back into Dragon hands. Both sides converted their own centre passes before Jones earned herself a rebound. Dragons ended the first quarter three goals ahead 13-16.

Rhinos started the second quarter with clear intent, this saw the defensive unit force Dragons into an error. The centre court unit found Mvula with great ease under the post and the gap remained at three for quite sometime. A couple of unforced errors from Rhinos  saw the visitors extend their lead out to eight goals. Liana Leota made changes to the on court seven with Emma Magee entering the game at goal attack (GA) and Michelle Magee moving into the goal defence (GD) position. We entered the half time break seven goals behind, 25-33.

Both teams started the second half strong, the ball moved between both sides before any goals were scored. A resilient Rhinos charged to a trio of goals with the help of Mvula, this reduced the gap to just three goals. A patient and clinical Caroline O’Hanlon controlled the mid court and the gap remained at three for a couple of minutes. Geva Mentor went out on the fly and the crowd erupted with delight as she gained possession. Mvula proved strong on the baseline and converted turnovers for her team, putting the final shot of the quarter through with two seconds left on the clock meaning we entered the final break just one goal short (43-44).

Dragons got the final quarter underway and both sides converted their own goals for the first two minutes of the quarter. An attacking contact saw the ball move back into Dragons possession, a determined Dragons side reached out to a four goal lead with ten minutes left of the game. Mentor forced an error from Dragons shooting circle and after patience from O’Hanlon the game was back to one goal. The home crowd erupted as Dragons made an error which allowed Rhinos to take the lead for the first time in the game. The final few minutes were full of chaos for both side, the final whistle went and it was the visitors Dragons who took the win 54-55.

After another physical on court battle the Leeds Rhinos look forward to another home game next weekend, this time at Huddersfield University when they take on Strathclyde Sirens.