Celtic Dragons and Leeds Rhinos end season on equal terms

With both teams ready to end the term on a high, it was Rhinos who started on the front foot with a turnover for Nia Jones which allowed the Yorkshire team to race to a 2-0 lead.

A missed shot for Rachel Dunn was picked up by Vicki Oyesola and contact against Ella Powell-Davies in the circle allowed Reed to convert to make the score 6-2.

Refusing to be left behind, the hosts fought back, with the strong partnership between Reed and Caroline O’Hanlon momentarily interrupted by Powell-Davies, whose defensive efforts allowed Dunn to add another goal and make it 13-12, Gabby Sinclair equalling the score a minute later.

Just nothing could split them! 🤯

The fans at the House of Sport were spoilt for entertainment as @celticdragons_ and @RhinosNetballSL play out the second draw of the season 🧮#NSL2023 | #GetSomeNet pic.twitter.com/Kd4UcO5JWT

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) June 2, 2023

Dragons suddenly found themselves in the lead for the first time of the game, but a turnover in the last thirty seconds for Reed meant Bird could get a goal and the first quarter ended 16-15 to the Welsh side.

A rocky start in the second quarter for Rhinos saw Reed unable to get the ball to Bird from the circle edge and it landed out of court in favour of the hosts.

And the Dragons defence worked hard once more as O’Hanlon was unable to keep her balance on court and the ball was intercepted as she attempted to feed into Bird.

Leeds Rhinos worked tirelessly through the court, forcing Celtic Dragons off the backline and converted two in a row, taking their centre straight to goal which brought the game level at 22 all.

A goal with 5 seconds remaining for Celtic Dragon meant the score was level at half time, 30-30.

The third quarter started with goals for both sides but was disrupted when Shaquanda Greene-Noel intercepted the feed into Bird.

30 minutes played and there’s 30 goals on the board for both teams here in Cardiff!

A game that’s gone back and forth, updates will continue throughout the second half #NSL2023 | #DrvRh pic.twitter.com/6MFuw1cJSt

— Leeds Rhinos Netball (@RhinosNetballSL) June 2, 2023

Another turnover for Celtic Dragons helped extend their lead to 36-31. A held ball call for O’Dwyer allowed O’Hanlon to feed the ball to Reed but a missed shot was picked up by Powell-Davies and scored by Sinclair at the other end.

Entering a tight final quarter, both sides were eager to earn the ball, with Rhinos once again battling back to equalise.

On an attempt to go ahead, Bird landed out of court and Celtic Dragons took advantage as Sinclair scored another.

Several seconds of back and forth play saw Rhinos charge ahead once more through a penalty shot against Greene-Noel.

But in the final seconds of play, a contact call against Magee to end the game meant Dunn scored the final goal to end the game in a tantalising draw.

Follow the Netball Super League on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Keep up with all the latest news by signing up to the NSL newsletter here.

Report supplied by Leeds Rhinos