NIC Leeds Rhinos 60 - Nottingham Forest 74

By Saskia Holland

Leeds Rhinos took on Nottingham Forest at the Canon Medical Arena, marking the halfway point of the season. After leading the first half, Nottingham Forest pulled away and secured the win 60-74.
 
Ashleigh Dekker got the game underway, and it was Joyce Mvula who quickly steadied the home side with an early goal. A missed attempt from Harriet Jones was picked up by Nottingham Forest, but a key turnover from Cassie Howard returned possession to Leeds Rhinos. Forest responded with an intercept from Jayda Pechova, giving Rhea Dixon a shot at goal. 

Although the attempt was off target, Geva Mentor was quick to collect the rebound and Mvula capitalized in attack. Howard intercepted on the circle edge to set up Mvula, who levelled the scores at 9–9 as the supershot period began. Mvula opened the period with a clinical two-pointer, and a defensive turnover allowed Rhinos to stretch their lead to 13–10. A missed shot under the post by Forest gave Rhinos another scoring opportunity, and Mvula made it count with a second supershot, closing the first quarter with Rhinos ahead 19–12.

A contact call against Dekker on the circle edge handed Forest an opportunity under the post, which they converted with ease. Rhinos made a substitution, bringing on Sophie Egbaran in the GA bib, but an early miss allowed Forest to narrow the gap to 22–20.
Momentum briefly swung in Forest's favour as they edged ahead 26–27, but once again Mvula answered with a two-pointer to reclaim the lead. Leeds Rhinos maintained composure in the closing minutes, holding on to a narrow 31–29 advantage at the half-time break.
 
Following a held ball in the circle to end the second half, Dekker had the ball in hand. Forest responded swiftly, forcing a turnover, and closing the gap to just one goal. A brilliant interception from Mentor set up Egbaran, who calmly sank the shot before Forest called a strategic timeout. Forest returned, drawing the game level. However, a sideline ball awarded to the opposition allowed them to edge ahead once more. A crucial contact call against Mvula in the circle handed momentum back to Forest, who capitalised to stretch the scoreline to 44-52. With growing intensity, Nottingham Forest surged ahead, closing out the quarter with a commanding 44-55 lead.
 
A string of turnovers allowed Nottingham Forest to extend their lead, making the most of their opportunities under the post to push the score out to 49-63. Egbaran added one more for the Rhinos after re-entering the court, bringing them to the 50-mark. Forest, however, dominated the supershot period. Despite Egbaran continuing to convert her chances, the gap remained difficult to close. A final-second supershot from Mvula brought some late excitement, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide, as Forest sealed the match with an impressive 60-74 victory.

Photo credits Ben Lumley