Team Bath 51 Leeds Rhinos Netball 67

By Tyler-Sue Chapman

Leeds Rhinos netball charged to their first away victory against Team Bath to make it three wins so far in the 2024 season. Caroline O’Hanlon returned to the match day twelve picking up the starting centre (C) position. Emma Magee started with the goal attack (GA) bib for her first start in the netball super league representing the Rhinos. Tight defensive pressure early in the game from Rhinos forced Team Bath to play the ball round the court before reaching the post after one whole minute after Zoe Davies slipped on court. O’Hanlon earned herself a turnover on her return from injury and Amelia Hall was confident on the feed into Joyce Mvula despite being off balanced. Team Bath made tactical changes which showed instant impact. Davies backed up on the centre pass and took the first phase ball before Cassie Howard found E.Magee who slotted the shot away to retain Rhinos early lead (10-18). Team Bath ended the first quarter landing a shot on the buzzer with Rhinos taking an early eight goal lead 13-21.

Rhinos started the second quarter with clear intent creating an early turnover. Liana Leota made a couple of changes with Celyn Emanuel going to wing attack (WA) Cassie Howard moving to C and Michelle Magee taking the wing defence position. Team Bath were also determined and reduced the deficit. Emma Magee found Joyce Mvula from the first phase of the centre pass. Bath were forced into making further tactical changes, this caused confusion on the court and Rhinos gifted possession to Bath. Mvula ended the second quarter with a buzzer beater which saw the Rhinos enter the half time break 15 goals ahead of the home side, 24-39.

Both sides entered the second half with clear intentions with both teams creating turnovers and earning loose balls. Emma Magee landed a long shot and on the next centre Rhinos forced a footwork call from  Bath. Harriet Jones then made a seamless entrance into game as she picked up the GA bib. Emanuel found Mvula alone under the post despite Bath players being out on the fly trying to gain possession. Rhinos entered the final 15 minutes with a 16 goal advantage, 36-52.

Geva Mentor earned an interception at the start of the final quarter. Team Bath also earned early ball which saw them begin their attempt to reduce the gap. Davies forced Bath into a held ball and Emanuel transitioned down the court with patience before finding Mvula in the circle positioned in the front space. To round off the final few minutes Leota made further changes. Amy Braithwaite took to the goal shooter position (GS), Davies moved down court into GK, Michelle Magee picked up the GD bib and Sarah MacPhail entered the game at wing defence (WD). Braithwaite and Jones combined in the circle to continue the Rhinos success at slotting the goals through the net. Rhinos ended the game with a win 51-67 to earn their first win on the road.

Leeds Rhinos remain on the road for the next two rounds as they face Manchester Thunder next weekend (13th April).