Leeds Rhinos make late push for top four after Severn Stars victory

Rhinos were keen to bounce back from their loss last week to Team Bath as part of their fight to be part of the top four going into semi finals of the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL). Severn Stars were looking to maintain the better form they showed in their match against Loughborough Lightning.

Donnell Wallam started the game with great intent helping Leeds immediately open up a 4-0 lead. The attacking line up of Rhinos was lightning quick and as soon as Stars had a centre pass the pressure on them was great resulting in turnover ball for Leeds. Stars were already seven goals down before Georgia Rowe even had a shot at goal.

Stars found themselves needing to go backwards on their centre passes but this patience and possession worked to bring the score back to 4-9. Errors keeper into the game with an attacking contact, offside and held ball all going against Stars. Immy Thomas came on at goal defence and Malysha Kelly at goal keeper for Stars to try and holt Leeds Rhinos' flow. The quarter finished 18-8 to Rhinos.

Newly-named Vitality Rose Rhea Dixon and Brie Grierson continued to work together effectively and link with their Leeds shooter Wallam. Paige Reed went down with an ankle injury and was replaced by Jane Taylor. Krya Jones was able to take an athletic intercept which was converted by Taylor.

More errors on Stars centre passes continued to be punished by Leeds shooter Wallam under the post bringing the lead out to 15 goals. Quick passes by Dixon at goal attack resulted in more goals and the quarter finished 34-18.

A brighter start to the second half for stars with Taylor scoring at range in the goal attackbib. Lucy Herdman re-entered at goal keeper and was able to gain a rebound and an intercept. Leeds Rhinos continued to control the midcourt effectively able to mix up between short ball side passes between players and the long ball into Wallam at the post.

Leota at WA for Stars was able to link well with Taylor who could distract the Leeds defenders to provide Rowe with space under the post. The third quarter finished 29-47 to Leeds Rhinos.

With Leeds in complete control of the game it gave their Head Coach Dan Ryan the chance to bring Sienna Rushton on at GA. Jones at WD and Herdman at GK continued to win turnover ball for Stars but the errors still plagued their game. The game finished 63-36 as a convincing victory for Leeds Rhinos.

After the match, Head Coach for Severn Stars Melissa Bessell commented: "For us it’s about making sure we understand why we lost that game, we did not turn up today. We played too much in isolation but no excuse for that performance today. They know they can do better than that and I know they can too."

IPro Hydrate Player of the Match: Vicki Oyesola.

Match report provided by Severn Stars.