Match Report | NIC Leeds Rhinos 52 London Pulse 61

By Saskia Holland

NIC Leeds Rhinos faced London Pulse in their round 5 fixture of the Netball Super League. After a game of grit from the home side, London Pulse took the win 61-52.

London Pulse opened the scoring, but NIC Leeds Rhinos responded well to keep pace, levelling the contest at 3–3 in the early minutes. Pulse briefly seized the initiative with a turnover, only for the Rhinos’ defence to hit back immediately, allowing Simone Gordon to convert and edge her side ahead at 7–6.

A missed attempt from Paige Reed handed London Pulse a chance to transition quickly to the attacking end, but Reed soon sunk the first Super Shot of the match to push the Rhinos into a 15–10 lead. Pulse responded with a flurry of Amex Super Shots of their own to swing momentum back in their favour, and by the end of an entertaining, end-to-end first quarter, the sides were locked level at 16–16.
 
Smart play from London Pulse made it difficult for Rhinos to win the ball back, allowing Pulse to take the lead at 18–16. A mix-up on the centre pass from Pulse then handed Rhinos a sideline, and they made the most of it, finding Simone Gordon under the post to bring the scores level at 19–19.

Rhinos soon forced a turnover in defence, lifting the crowd, but Pulse quickly regained possession and converted at the other end. Pulse made changes in the GK and WD positions just before the Super Shot period. Rhinos started that phase well with a turnover, finished by Gordon, but Pulse’s zonal defence caused problems, forcing errors and sending the ball out of court. By half-time, Leeds Rhinos were trailing 32–28.
 
The second half started with an early goal for Leeds Rhinos Netball. Cassie Howard brought strong physical pressure, but London Pulse stayed composed in possession and continued to convert their chances. Indya Masser delivered a well-placed long ball into Simone Gordon, who finished well. A short pass call against Pulse gave Rhinos an important opportunity, helping close the gap to 34–36.

However, momentum soon swung back in Pulse’s favour, and they pushed their lead out further, helped by a missed shot from Gordon under the post. Harriet Jones came on at GA, with Paige Reed moving into GS and scoring with her first attempt. After a hard-fought quarter, Pulse finished strongly to take a 49–39 lead into the final period.

The final quarter began evenly, with both sides converting from their centre passes. Marlene Langes made her debut in the blue dress, coming on at GK for Yomi Wilson. NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball produced some strong passages of play, but London Pulse continued to make the most of their turnovers, turning them into goals. 

A Super Shot from Harriet Jones reduced the gap to six and gave Rhinos hope. Despite the late push, Pulse stayed in control and saw out the game, securing a 61–52 win.