By Tyler-Sue Chapman

After a tenacious battle out on court it was London Mavericks who took the win 63-60 at the Canon medical arena. Yomi Wilson returned to the match day ten after a break due to injury. 

It was the Rhinos who took the first advantage of the game after an intercept from Visser. Masser did well to maintain control of the ball which saw the Rhinos extend to a three point advantage with just under ten minutes on the clock of quarter one. A footwork call for the visitors allowed the Rhinos to keep the score board ticking which saw them enter the Amex super shot period three points ahead 11-8. It was the visitors who utilised the super shot period in the first quarter pushing themselves ahead by three at the end of quarter one 13-16.

The visitors edged further ahead to five points but incredible ball control from captain Reed saw the Rhinos keep within touching distance. Possession flipped between both sides but it was the Mavericks who remained composed on the court. Despite working hard through the court and successful shooting attempts from the Rhinos the visitors kept ahold of the advantage entering the half time break 28-32.

Lauren Palmer moved Phoebe Maslen into the centre bib and Marlene Lange entered the game at goal keeper. Bella Baylis moved down the court into wing attack. A bullet ball was thrown into the circle for the Mavericks despite efforts from Lange. Lange earned her side a backline pass to the crowds delight but a mossed super shot for the Rhinos saw the visitors slot away a two point goal to extend their lead 37-43. Big defensive efforts from the Rhinos unit were rewarded and a trio of super shots re-levelled the game at 43 a piece. Super shots from both sides just before the buzzer saw us enter the final break level with the visitors 47-48. 

Bella Baylis showed excellent vision into the circle on the first centre pass getting the crowd ready for the final 15 minutes of play. Rhinos use their tactical timeout as the Mavericks regained a five point advantage. Jones and Reed switched positions for the final ten minutes of play with Reed moving out to goal attack and Jones moving into goal shooter. Masser returned to the court at wing attack and Baylis moved into the centre position with Maslen moving to wing defence after the visitors pushed ahead to lead by ten. Mavericks used their tactical timeout after a flurry of goals for the home side which saw the deficit reduce to just five points. A later turnover from the Rhinos saw them sink another super shot to secure the bonus point despite loosing the game 60-63.

NIC Leeds Rhinos return to the Canon Medical Arena on 15th May to take on AO Manchester Thunder, secure your tickets at tickets.rhinosnetball.co.uk