Rhinos Netball 56 Loughborough Lightning 64

By Tyler-Sue Chapman

Leeds Rhinos played hosts at the iconic Leeds first direct arena as they faced current champions of the netball super league Loughborough Lightning. Annie James and Millie Veevers replaced Amy Braithwaite and Emma Magee who were both ruled out of the fixture due to picking up injury. Liana Leota named a starting 7 which welcomed back Zoe Davies in the goal defence (GD) position and Caroline O’Hanlon back at wing attack (WA). After a physical battle out on the court the visitors Lightning took the win by just eight goals ,56-64. 

Cassie Howard got the game underway but errors from the home side allowed Lightning to reach an early five goal lead. Frustration on court was growing but a rebound from Geva Mentor (GK) gave her side confidence. Joyce Mvula at the other end of the court slotted two in a row alongside Harriet Jones whose goal settled the side after an intense few minutes of play. Cholhok (Lightning) landed a shot on the buzzer which saw the visitors hold an eight-goal advantage at the first break, 11-19.

Mvula started the second quarter by showing great strength despite Lightning extending their dominance which saw them reach a ten-goal lead. Impressive defensive efforts from Mentor saw the Rhinos regain confidence but the gap remained unchanged. Michelle Magee added pressure which saw the visitors lose the ball off the backline and after quick hands from Jones and Mvula Rhinos got the shot away. Davies took a fall which saw Cobden from Lightning being sent to the bench for a two-minute suspension. The Rhinos played as six until a break in play allowed Davies to return to court.  Cholhok mirrored the ending from quarter one by sinking a shot on the buzzer, but the difference was now out to twelve, 21-33.

Leota moved Amelia Hall into the goal attack position for the start of the second quarter. A game changing performance from Hall saw her earn both the Age Partnership and the Sky sports player of the match award. Rhinos earned immediate confidence from the impact change as they scored the first five goals of the second half. Turnovers were created from both sides, but it was the current champions who maintained ahead. Tight defensive pressure was applied by Mentor and a whole team effort saw the deficit reduce. Mvula was found home alone, and the crowd erupted with delight. Mentor continued to be successful in defence and allowed her side to take another run of goals which saw the gap reduce to just five goals at the final break, 42-47.

Chants from the crowd got the final 15 minutes underway. After early errors in the final quarter Hall slotted shots away from range. Pressure from the Rhinos charging towards victory forced Lightning into both a footwork and a breaking error. Davies earned herself another ball and as the crowd erupted the gap returned to just five. Mvula and Hall remained calm inside the circle slotting shots away from all points within the circle, but Lightning showed their championship experience and grinded out the win, 56-64.

Rhinos now get back on the road as they travel to London to face London Pulse in round twelve of the netball super league at the Crystal Palace arena on May 4^th.