Leeds Rhinos see off Severn Stars in Round 7 fixture

After Severn Stars' first centre pass resulted in a goal, Rhinos soon bounced back to get themselves on the scoreboard early on.  There was no doubt that, throughout the court, the battle was on for both sides.

Stars' attack began to find Georgia Rowe with some long bombs from the middle third but Rhea Dixon used her composure to pop another goal in for her side.

After Nia jones and Lucy Harris were punished with a caution around circle edge, Rhinos gained a two goal advantage with Brie Grierson working relentlessly in attack to deliver ball.

The early vision into Severn Stars was something their attack began to capitalise on throughout the first 12 minutes, making it hard for Paige Kindred and Vicki Oyesola to compete with 6ft 5 Georgia Rowe.

Ending the last second of the quarter was  fearless 18-year-old Sienna Rushton who left her team on a one-goal lead going into the second quarter.

After a steady start for both sides, no changes were made advancing into the second quarter. Rhinos come out fighting against an opposing team who were hungry for their second win this season with Georgia Rowe still remaining with a 100% shooting accuracy.

Stars defensive wall picked up another interception, giving them at a two goal lead, but the tracking of Hollingworth forced Beth Dyke to the sideline and resulted in  Kindred rewarding the team with an intercept.

Herdman soon responded to this with an intercept for the Stars team. The flurry from both sides showed there was no slowing down with just five minutes till half-time. A substitution for Rhinos, seeing Magee come on for GD and taking their biggest goal lead yet of four.

The defensive pressure from Rhinos prevented Stars' first phase centre pass being delivered, challenging the ease Stars have previously had in attack with taking the ball down court.

A missed goal from Stars gave Rhinos another chance to maximise their lead and then another last second shot, from Rushton ending the first half with a score of 22-18.

Stars continued with same seven players on court but  Rhinos brought Vicki Oyesola back on at goal defence and Hollingworth to the bench.

Both sides struggled to control attack in the first minutes of quarter three but the availability of Rushton began to make it easy for Rhinos attack to have a more direct path to goal, enabling them to continue to create goal-scoring opportunities for the shooting duo with Dixon.

Swings around the circle edge from Rhinos silenced Stars' defence and Rhinos kept a four goal lead. Changes were made with five minutes remaining with Jade Clarke moving back to wing defence to close down Dyke’s passages of play and Amelia Hall entering the court at centre.

Rhinos defensive change left Stars not wanting to send ball to pocket and when doing so were punished by Oyesola scanning the game with a great intercept.

A quick ball from Dixon to Rushton in the final seconds of quarter two was not enough to end this combat of a quarter with a goal, but the result of Stars missed opportunities sees Rhinos face a final 12 minute battle with a four-goal lead.

Leeds Rhinos were set up for another quarter of grind to enable them to take the win as Severn Stars continued to challenge.

Tuaine Keenan made her return to court from a previous injury with a pick up for her Rhinos side, nonetheless Stars were chasing for a victory, with another intercept from Dyke setting Rowe up for yet another goal.

Keenan found her feet back on court with ease as the early long balls from Stars midcourt were now being challenged and every attacking move became a struggle for them.

Dixon came through with an intercept followed by opening up the court for Rushton time after time, revealing the outstanding work rate she has given for her side to take the win with just minutes left on the court. Stars were not finished yet with another goal to Rowe, narrowing Rhinos lead to just two.

Despite this, the Rhinos defence brought the ball back up court after a missed shot for their final time with another goal from Rushton as they secured another victory on Round 7.

Age Partnership Player of the Match: Rhea Dixon.

Match report from Leeds Rhinos Netball / Rosie Brabrook.

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