By Tyler-Sue Chapman

NIC Leeds Rhinos suffered an agonising defeat after a last-minute super shot secured victory for a tenacious London Mavericks at the Brentwood Centre, Essex. 

Lauren Palmer welcomed Ella Bowen into the squad to make her Rhinos debut as the team looked to continue their winning start to the season following their opening day win over Birmingham Panthers.  There was little to separate the teams throughout the game, but Leeds looked like they were going to edge it in the final quarter as they pulled ahead.  The hosts though fought their way back to within a point in the final seconds of the game and Leeds were punished when Harriet Jones was ruled offside at the centre pass, which set up Mavericks for a spectacular finish, with Kira Rothwell calmly landing a super shot with 10 seconds left on the clock to snatch the win.

The game started with a composed Joyce Mvula putting her side in control with two shots through the net early. Rhinos held composure and gained an early five goal lead after just six minutes of play despite through court defence from the Mavericks. Cassie Howard hustled to earn ball and the Rhinos continued to add to their lead 5-12. A tactical time out was called by the hosts with just five minutes left on the clock for quarter one. Mavericks ended the quarter strong after their time out as they levelled the game up 13-13 after the first 15 minutes. 

Head Coach Lauren Palmer freshened up the Rhinos attack, bringing in Sophie Egbaran into the goal attack position for the start of the second quarter. Jess Haynes and Howard both created early pick ups which gave the Rhinos confidence out on the court and the visitors made it count on the scoreboard with a four goal lead midway through the quarter after displaying patience on the transition through court. 

Mavericks battled to reduce the deficit and reached a one goal advantage, but the return of Harriet Jones in the goal attack position with three minutes remaining of the half had significant impact for the Rhinos as she slotted a super shot with Mvula following and finishing off two more which resulted in the Rhinos entering the half time break four goals ahead 24-28.

Ella Bowen came on for her first Super League runout in blue and amber at the start of the second half in the goal defence. An attacking contact call against the NIC Rhinos and some mis-communication in attack proved costly and allowed the home side to take a one goal advantage. Palmer's side called a time out with 10 minutes left on the clock for quarter three with Ashleigh Dekker returning to the court in the wing attack bib. This tactical reset was used perfectly, with the NIC Rhinos quickly re-establishing their advantage.  Once the super shot period came into play both teams were successful in adding the two-point shots, resulting in a 39-all tie entering the final break. 

The NIC Rhinos battled through court to find Mvula and Jones after the defensive unit of Geva Mentor, Ella Bowen and Cassie Howard had created early turnover ball to start the final quarter. Mentor held strong in the circle which forced the home side off the backline on multiple occasions. It was the NIC Rhinos who held a three-point advantage as the super shot buzzer went for the final time of the game. Mavericks slotted three super shots in a row before Kira Rothwell slotted through a super shot for Mavericks with ten seconds on the clock which earned the home side the win 54-53. 

NIC Leeds Rhinos face reigning champions Loughborough Lightning on Sunday 30th March at the first direct Arena, Leeds. Tickets can be purchased from https://www.firstdirectarena.c...