Netball Super League | Manchester Thunder seal final four spot with tense victory over Leeds Rhinos

Match Details

7th May 2023

Round 16

AO Arena

Match Results

Watch On: Broadcaster Logo

First Centre Pass

Elle McDonald LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons View profile

Team Stats

Performance Stats

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Manchester Thunder seal final four spot with tense victory over Leeds Rhinos

Manchester Thunder secured their place in the top four with a triumphant 65-63 victory over Leeds Rhinos in the ‘Battle of the Roses’.

In front of a packed home AO Arena, Karen Greig's squad clinched a tense derby victory as the Yorkshire team put up a rallying fight.

Player of the Match Amy Carter thrilled the arena with a staggering seven turnovers, five interceptions and two deflections as Vicki Oyesola impressed for Rhinos.

Thunder pulled out an early lead, but an error by Lois Pearson brought Rhinos back into the game and pulled ahead to win the quarter 17-15.

Magic from Metcalf 🪄@nataliesymone with incredible vision as she moves back to the top of the standings for feeds 🫴

Catch up on an incredible match from a vibrant AO Arena 🏟

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) May 8, 2023

The second quarter continued with similar intensity, with goal for goal action and pressure from the Thunder defence resulting in a Caroline O’Hanlon error, pushing the home side ahead.

Carter popped up with another intercept to give Thunder a one goal lead which quickly became a four goal advantage with the help of some strong feeds into the Thunder circle.

Thunder icon Emma Dovey entered the game at goal defence to replace Josie Huckle, a celebratory 200 apperances for the team following her re-signing this season.

The reigning champions complete the Final Four 👑

Where will @thundernetball finish at the end of the season? 🌩#NSL2023 | #GetSomeNet pic.twitter.com/fDbhRo6Lmn

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) May 7, 2023

The home side entered the second half with a marginal three goal lead, as Oyesola disrupted Manchester Thunder's attack and Michelle Magee won the ball back for Leeds Rhinos.

Thunder's defence worked hard and forced Rhinos to play the ball around until Paige Reed was able to make space and received the ball to get the goal.

A see-saw match all the way through, the final quarter began with the score sitting at 50-47 to the hosts.

Oyesola made an incredible intercept but she was unable to pass it to her team mates and it was intercepted by Carter as Thunder began to edge ahead once more.

With the clock ticking down, there was just one goal in it before a series of turnovers for Thunder edged them ahead and picked up three points for the victory and the last final four spot.

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Tags:

Manchester Thunder NIC Leeds Rhinos