Leeds Rhinos Netball 49 London Pulse 51

By Saskia Holland

Leeds Rhinos took on London Pulse at the Allam Sports Centre in Hull for the first time this season. An impressively fought game for both sides saw the London Pulse take the win 49-51
Cassie Howard started off the game with Rhinos having the first centre pass. After 2 contact calls against Alicia Scholes, Harriet Jones put the first score on the board. After multiple errors from the Rhinos, Pulse managed to gain an early 4 goal lead (1-5). Some impressive feeds into Joyce Mvula helped the home side shorten the gap to 2, but Pulse were fierce throughout and didn’t make it easy. The quarter ended level 15-15 after a Rhinos centre pass was unable to find the goal.

The second quarter started with a turnover in the defensive end, and Joyce Mvula converted it which gave us the lead 16-15. The game remained level with turnovers both ends of the court, but a misplaced ball on Rhinos centre pass gave Pulse the possession they needed and they were able to go 2 ahead. Impressive rebounds from Geva Mentor were unable to be converted in the attacking end and a contact call against Jones in the circle saw Pulse further extend their lead (21-25). The attacking end saw changes in the final two minutes with Celyn Emanuel entering at WA and Emma Magee at GA. Leeds Rhinos were unable to score on the final centre pass and the score at half time was 22-29.

Training partner Millie Veevers entered the court at C to start the second half, moving Howard into WD. Davies was called for contact on our centre pass but a missed shot allowed her to pick up the rebound and Mvula added another goal for the home side. Veevers got an impressive circle edge turnover, but Pulse won the ball back and Olivia Tchine added to the board (25-31). Michelle Magee was called for contact on our centre pass but Howard skilfully gained possession and the ball was taken to goal (35-38). A goal for Emma Magee in the final 15 seconds meant Pulse were forced to take their centre pass but they were unable to get it to goal. The home side were trailing by 3 going into the final quarter.

A head collision involving E. Magee happened at the start of the final quarter forcing Jones to return to the court. Pulse extended their lead to 7 and weren’t making many mistakes. Zoe Davies entered the court in the final 3 minutes and made an immediate impact with a turnover which was taken to goal finished by Mvula. London Pulse took the win by 2 goals (49-51) in a well-contested game between the two sides.