IT was a busy Friday night in the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) with Leeds Rhinos storming home in a momentum-swinging game against Severn Stars, whilst Wasps Netball got back on the winners list with a big win against Celtic Dragons.

Leeds Rhinos have reached an even win-loss record thanks to wins in the first of two matches for Round 7, defeating Severn Stars by four goals in a momentum-swinging contest. The last placed Stars had a good start in front of home fans at the University of Worchester Arena, before the Rhinos settled in and took a five-goal lead into the main break.

The Stars came out with renewed vigour in the third quarter, piling on 16 goals to nine in one of their best quarters for the year to take a two-goal advantage into the last term. Luckily for the visitors, they put up 14 goals to eight in the final term to run over the top of the Stars and secure the 53-49 win.

Rebekah Airey was superb in defence, picking up a massive six intercepts, two rebounds and eight turnovers on her way to Player of the Match. She teamed up well with Vicki Oyesola (two intercepts, two deflections, three rebounds and four turnovers). Starting in goal shooter, Amy Clinton put up 35 goals from 41 attempts, and also pulled down a couple of rebounds, working well with Sienna Rushton (18 from 23, two rebounds and and two deflections).

Issy Eaton (25 goals from 27 attempts and two rebounds) was impressive in attack alongside Paige Reed (19 from 21, one intercept, one deflection and one turnover). Up the other end was Summer Artman (three rebounds, two deflections, one intercept and four turnovers) worked hard up the other end, whilst wing attack Bethan Dyke picked up a team-high 17 feeds in a strong performance.

Leeds Rhinos do not wait long for their next match with a clash against top of the table Manchester Thunder tonight, whilst the Stars have a long break until next Saturday when they host Loughborough Lightning.

Wasps Netball picked up their second win of the season, temporarily moving ahead of both Strathclyde Sirens and Surrey Storm by defeating Celtic Dragons by a comfortable 23 goals. Wasps took a narrow two-goal lead into quarter time, but it was was the middle two quarters where the home team came to play. Stepping up when required, they put the foot down and built an unassailable lead.

Wasps piled on 16 goals to eight in the second quarter and 18 to seven in the third term to set up an unassailable 21-goal advantage heading into the last quarter. Though the Dragons finished strong and were competitive for the last term, they still went down and ultimately lost the term 14-12, and the match, 60-37 at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Rachel Dunn was dominant in the shooting circle, piling on 39 goals from 44 attempts for the Wasps, whilst also scooping up three rebounds. Lucy Parize (16 goals from 21 attempts) was also a strong target in there, with Iona Christian‘s dominant midcourt work seeing her pick up a match-high 25 feeds, as well as two deflections. In defence, Josie Huckle and Ella Powell-Davies combined well with nine deflections, four intercepts, one rebound and seven turnovers.

Lefébre Rademan (23 goals from 28 attempts, one rebound and one deflection) did the bulk of the damage for the Dragons. In defence, Shaquanda Greene-Noel (six deflections, two turnovers and one intercept) and Nia Jones (two intercepts, two deflections and three turnovers) both tried hard in the losing side.

Celtic Dragons will take on Team Bath tomorrow, whilst the Wasps will face Loughborough Lightning on the same day a couple of hours later.