By Saskia Holland

The NIC Leeds Rhinos travelled to Cardiff to take on the Dragons in round 6 of the Netball Super League. Leeds Rhinos maintained the lead throughout the game, winning 52-63.

Ashleigh Dekker started with the ball in hand but an early turnover for the home side saw Cardiff Dragons add the first goal to the board. Geva Mentor gained an intercept and Joyce Mvula levelled the game. The game was equal at 5-5 before Alex Johnson took possession from Leeds Rhinos and her team converted the goal. 

A rebound from Mentor once again levelled the score 7-7. A held ball call for Dragons was then followed by a tip for Johnson but Rhinos remained in possession with Mvula finishing. Dragons sank the first supershot with 30 seconds on the clock, followed by Mvula from the edge of the circle. The first quarter ended 12-17 to Leeds Rhinos.

Dragons found it difficult getting the ball into the circle after tough defensive efforts from Ella Bowen and Mentor. A rebound for Mentor was scored by Mvula the other end, but Beth Britain misplaced the ball over the backline in attempt to find Mvula on the second phase of the centre pass that followed. The supershot period began with an attempt for Dragons, but a missed shot meant Mentor could claim the rebound. However, a turnover for Jacquine Newton gave Georgia Rowe the chance to sink the 2 pointer (22-28). The first half finished with a goal for Rowe, but Leeds Rhinos lead 28-33.

Leeds Rhinos held onto a 10 goal lead, with a missed shot for Dragons being picked up by Dekker. After a tactical time out was called for Cardiff Dragons, an attacking contact fell in favour of Leeds Rhinos, Brittain found Mvula under the post, sending the long ball in to extend the lead (31-45). A second attacking contact, this time against Rowe, allowed Rhinos to extend their lead further. A contact call against Bowen finished with a goal for Dragons, going 41-51 into the final quarter.

A forced pass off court started the final quarter with a turnover for Leeds Rhinos who steadied the ball to goal. Dragons didn’t make it easy for Rhinos, with numerous tips, but the ball safely landed in the hands of Mvula to sink the shot. Jones missed a goal allowing Dragons to narrow the gap (47-56). Leeds Rhinos call a tactical time out just 30 seconds before the supershot period. 

Chelsea Beard gets the first supershot of the quarter for dragons, to narrow the lead (52-59). Rhinos continued to sink the one pointer as they maintained a steady 10 goal lead. Multiple missed shots for Dragons gave Rhinos the possession in the final minute of the game, with the final whistle going in favour of Leeds Rhinos, winning 52-63 against Cardiff Dragons.

Photo credits Ben Lumley