Leeds Rhinos 55-46 Celtic Dragons

Vicki Oyesola was in top form again with a tenacious performance at keeper that earned her a fourth Player of the Match award.  

Rhinos started strong and were quickly ahead by two goals thanks to an intercept from Rosie Harris, a couple of high passes were played into Ellie Bird and two consecutive intercepts from Oyesola allowed the home side to pull their lead out to five within the first few minutes of the game.  

Oyesola went out on the fly again and came out with the ball, allowing her side to remain four goals up at the first break 13-9.  

Harris and McDonald continued to find Bird with ease under the post before Dragons started to get themselves back into the game and took three consecutive goals to reduce the gap to four.  

The game then went to just a one-goal difference after an attacking contact was called against Rhinos and a further turnover from Shaquanda Greene-Noel.  

Some mirror image play was on display from both sides and the game remained goal for goal, before Rhinos forced Dragons into a held ball on their centre pass as they entered the half-time break four goals ahead. 

Instant pressure from Rhinos after the break allowed McDonald to take a tip before the home side converted their next centre pass and created another turnover which saw their lead increase to six. 

At the end of quarter three, the scores had reached 39-35 and both sides started the final quarter strongly but it was Rhinos who continued to break away thanks to a tip from Magee and a pick up from Bird. 

Nia Jones remained calm and controlled and managed to keep a hold of the ball but Rhinos had to remain patient as Dragons were not making it easy.  

Oyesola took yet another turnover and Reed rewarded her tenacious teammate by putting it through the net. 

Rhinos went long on a couple of occasions into Bird showing the confidence they had built from the start of the fixture, Oyesola made one last turnover with just seconds remaining but time denied Rhinos of one last goal but the buzzer confirmed their first win of the season. 

 Reported supplied by Leeds Rhinos.