Share Strathclyde Sirens take on Leeds Rhinos. Credit Morgan Harlow Following yesterday’s win against London Pulse, Strathclyde Sirens had to protect their sixth in the table position as they took on Leeds Rhinos who were also looking to secure that sixth spot. Young gun Rachel Conway made her debut in Sirens starting 7 to look after the GK position as Towera Vinkhumbo sits out due to injury. Strathclyde Sirens took some time to settle with Rhinos capitalizing on basic errors by Sirens to stretch them to a 6-goal difference in the opening minutes. Yesterday’s Player of the Match McCall continues her display of slick shooting and contributes to the 13-17 score line at the end of quarter one. In the second quarter Rhinos charged forward, with Donnell Wallam slotting in goals for the opposition at ease. Defensively, Sirens struggled to slow Rhinos attack and block incoming ball to 6 ft 2 Wallam. MacPhail and McCleery make an appearance to shake up Sirens game plan, but a string of errors meant that the Scottish side couldn’t quite close the gap and Rhinos lead 35-26 heading into the second half. Rhinos continued to dominate in quarter three, with Keenan regularly interrupting Sirens attack with intercepts at crucial points of play. Vinkhumbo made an appearance at GK, albeit with her knee bandaged, in an attempt to disrupt Wallam’s flow at the post. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for Sirens who headed into the final quarter 38-56. Dix made the move to C, and Goodwin took to court at GS. McCleery, McCall and Goodwin settled into their partnership at the circle edge, which saw some clean passages of play as Sirens tried to close the 20-goal gap that had amounted, minutes into the final quarter. In the end, Sirens suffer a 51-69 defeat, with Rhinos Brie Grierson winning Princes Square Player of the Match. Karen Atkinson said: “Despite not having Towera at the back we competed really well at times, but there were small passages of play that we allowed to blow out. I thought Rhinos were exceptional in their feeding to Wallam and it was really difficult for us to stop. We’ve got the potential to take it to the top teams but we’re just not consistent enough and that’s something we will be building on as we progress in the season.” Princes Square Player of the Match: Brie Grierson Match report provided by Strathclyde Sirens. Share Tags: Strathclyde Sirens Leeds Rhinos