Leeds Rhinos Netball 46 Team Bath 52: Donnell Wallam stars on her injury return but Rhinos are edged out

Goal shooter Donnell Wallam made an influential return to the side for the first time in nearly two months – following a fracture to her radius bone – but she could not prevent Leeds Rhinos slipping to a 52-46 defeat to Vitality Superleague leaders Team Bath tonight.
By Millie Frain
Published 9th Apr 2021, 21:43 BST
RETURN: Leeds Rhinos' Donnell Wallam made an impressive return from injury against Team Bath tonight. Picture: Jan Kruger/Getty Images.RETURN: Leeds Rhinos' Donnell Wallam made an impressive return from injury against Team Bath tonight. Picture: Jan Kruger/Getty Images.
RETURN: Leeds Rhinos' Donnell Wallam made an impressive return from injury against Team Bath tonight. Picture: Jan Kruger/Getty Images.

The game started competitively, with Team Bath looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season against Mavericks.

Rhinos managed to keep in touch with their opponents, with the first quarter ending level at 10-10.

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Rhinos made a change in the second quarter, with Tuaine Keenan coming on at goalkeeper and Paige Kindred moving to goal defence.

The momentum then shifted towards Team Bath, who managed to isolate the balls feeding into Rhea Dixon. The first half ended with Rhinos trailing 25-20.

The Leeds defence pushed Bath back up the court in the third quarter, slowing down their high intensity levels.

However five-time champions Bath maintained their advantage as the third quarter drew to a close, leading Dan Ryan’s side 39-33.

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An extremely impressive mid-air shot from Wallam saw her finishing the quarter with a 90 per cent shot conversion.

The final quarter was extremely competitive with Rhinos pushing the best team in the league all the way to the end with Bath holding on to win 52-46. Imogen Allison was named player of the match.

The Rhinos are back in action again on Monday against third-placed Manchester Thunder (7.15pm).

Leeds Rhinos: Kindred, Hollingworth, Oyesola, Clarke, Dixon, Grierson, Wallam.

Team Bath: Usoro-Brown, Shaw, Pavelin, Guthrie, Drakeford-Lewis, Guscoth, Borger.

Related topics:RhinosLeeds Rhinos

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