By Tyler-Sue Chapman

A valiant battle in the norther derby from the NIC Leeds Rhinos ended in defeat with Manchester Thunder leaving Yorkshire with the win 66-82.

Captain Paige Reed slotted away the first goal of the fixture and after a footwork call against the visitors the home side held a two goal advantage.  Confusion from the Rhinos defensive unit allowed the visitors to take a run of goals and after five minutes of play the advantage was with the visitors. Thunder pushed on and reached a five goal difference at the start of the Amex super shot period. Harriet Jones scored a penalty two point goal to end the first quarter reducing the deficit to three 18-21.

The difference remained three for some time but after five minutes of play Thunder edged further ahead thanks to back to back intercepts. Rhinos attacking unit of Reed and Jones were forced to be patient in the circle before slotting a shot away. Missed shots and further errors from the Rhinos saw the visitors reach a ten goal advantage. Jones score two successive super shots but Thunder responded and were clinical in possession as they entered the half time break 10 points ahead 34-44 despite a super shot from Reed on the buzzer. 

Lauren Palmer made two changes to commence the second half with Phoebe Maslen entering the game at centre and Bella Baylis moving down the court into wing attack. A turnover in defence from Visser for the Rhinos saw the deficit reduced to eight. Quick ball speed and vision from the Thunder attackers saw them enter the super shot period 15 points ahead. Masser returned to wing attack at the start of the super shot period with Jones and Reed switching bibs within the shooting circle. Unforced errors from the Rhinos and confident play from the visitors saw the deficit reach 19 at the third break of play after both sides ended the quarter with super shots.

Baylis returned to the game for the final quarter in the centre bib with Maslen moving to wing defence and Marlene Lange entering the game at goal defence. Lange made instant impact by gaining possession out on a flying intercept but the gap remained at 16. Intercepts galore for both sides as the game approached the final super shot period. Despite a valiant battle through court for the Rhinos it was the visitors who took the win 66-82. 

NIC Leeds Rhinos return to the road for an away game against Loughborough Lightning next weekend before their final fixture of the 2026 super league season at home on Friday 29th May against the Birmingham Panthers at the Canon Medical Arena Sheffield.