NIC Leeds Rhinos 53 London Pulse 72

By Tyler-Sue Chapman

NIC Leeds Rhinos suffered defeat 53-72 against London Pulse in round four of the netball Super League after a physical battle on court at Sheffield's Canon Medical Arena. 

Cassie Howard started the game by showing the home side's intentions as she picked up a flying interception to regain possession after an early missed shot. Five minutes into the game and it was the visitors who held a small two goal gap, 3-5. Defensive efforts for the Rhinos were rewarded as they gained a backline and picked up a rebound whilst the shooting duo of Harriet Jones and Joyce Mvula remained successful with Jones sinking the first super shot of the round. A super shot from the visitors slotted through the net just before the first break meaning they held a two goal lead 13-15. 

The gap remained two for the first seven minutes of the second quarter with both sides converting their own centre passes. London Pulse settled and picked up ball which increased the deficit to five, 19-24. Pulse utilised the super shot period and created a twelve goal advantage with two minute left of the first half. A trio of super shots for the Rhinos saw the gap decrease to just eight the difference at the half time break 29-37.  

Both sides started the second half at speed whilst the gap remained at eight. Head coach Lauren Palmer made a change and brought Ashleigh Dekker into the Centre position after five minutes of play. Quick hands from the Rhinos reduced the gap to six which forced London Pulse to call a tactical time out with just over five minutes left on the clock for quarter three. Impressive efforts saw the Rhinos earn ball from rebounds and interceptions and after three successive super shots followed by a standard shot the game was back to within three. A final flurry of goals for the visitors saw the score sit at 44-50 at the third and final break. 

Errors from the Rhinos allowed Pulse to create a ten goal buffer, Harris returned to the court with the Centre bib. Palmer called for a tactical time out as the visitors had gained momentum and had opened a 13 goal gap. Sophie Egbaran entered the game at the goal attack position. Ella Bowen entered the court at Goal Defence with six minutes left on the clock. Egbaran sank a super shot but Pulse replicated at the other end of the court. A dominant finish for the visitors saw the Rhinos suffer defeat 53-72.