Leeds Rhinos Netball bounce back with victory over London Pulse

Both teams were coming off fresh losses with lots to prove and showed no signs of tired legs despite rounding off a tough double-header weekend.

Rhinos took the first centre pass and Pulse were immediately hustling in defence. Youngster Ellie Rattu earned the start in centre facing up against England Roses legend Jade Clarke and they were competing hard from the very first whistle. The now-familiar starting line-up from Pulse settled into the game well and an intercept from superstar Funmi Fadoju put Pulse with their noses in front.

The attack end were looking in early to Sigi Burger and capitalising on the hard work of defenders Hali Adio and Zara Everitt at the back. Pulse were off to an excellent start with a 5-1 lead early in the quarter and were able to find Burger in strong shooting position. However, Rhinos were not giving up easily and their tenacity in defence pulled the scoreline back within one.

The lead changed hands several times as both teams tried to take control of the game, with Pulse putting their foot down in the latter stages of the quarter to take lead 15-9 going into the first break.

Rhinos lifted their defensive pressure coming into the second quarter and started to double mark Burger under the post. They came out of the break with a vengeance, pulling the deficit back to three, and Pulse were becoming more laboured in their transitions into attack. However, the London side were patient with ball in hand and the defensive unit kept giving the team opportunities with Fadoju coming out of nowhere to put huge pressure on the Rhinos frontline.

As the quarter progressed Pulse started to find their flow but Tuaine Keenan in the goal keeper position for Rhinos picked up a crucial intercept which allowed her side to go on a run of goals and narrow the gap to just two at the break. At half time Pulse were sitting on 91% shooting accuracy and seven turnovers to Rhinos’ three, but the hunger and grit from the Northern side was keeping them close in the contest.

The two sides traded turnovers at the start of the third quarter and though the Pulse defence were making things difficult it was now the turn for Rhinos to show their patience and they drew level at 22-22. A narrow miss under the post allowed Rhinos to surge ahead by three, but an angry steal from Adio allowed Pulse to stay within touching distance. The physicality of Rhinos started to grind down the Pulse frontline who were caught static, and Rhinos kept the London side to just six goals in the third quarter, heading into the final term with a narrow three goal lead.

The edge-of-your-seat action continued in the final quarter with both teams going goal for goal in this close contest. Burger was commanding the goal circle and kept Pulse in the game with a crucial rebound. The defensive units from both teams were putting on a magnificent display with Fadoju causing chaos and Vicki Oyesola plucking balls from the air.

With three minutes to go there were just three goals separating the two teams and Pulse were doing everything to find a much-needed turnover in the dying minutes. In a nail-biting finale, the Northern side were victorious, grinding out the victory with 40 goals to 38.

Atlantic House Investments Player of the Match: Funmi Fadoju (London Pulse)

Match report from London Pulse.

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