NSL Round One 2023: Leeds Rhinos 48 London Pulse 64

Yesterday saw the start of the long-awaited Super League season opener in Nottingham, with all 10 teams headed to the Motorpoint Arena. Five games were played over the day, with London Pulse taking on the newly assembled Leeds Rhinos side at 4.15PM

Sam Bird’s starting seven for London Pulse:

GS – Olivia Tchine

GA – Berri Neil

WA – Chelsea Pitman (Debut Pulse #38)

C – Jade Clarke (Debut Pulse #37)

WD – Zara Everitt (C)

GD – Funmi Fadoju

GK – Lindsay Keable (VC)

Substitutions: Halimat Adio, Ashleigh Dekker, Sacha McDonald, Ellie Rattu and Alicia Scholes

Both teams put each other under pressure from the start with early disruption in both attacking thirds, score 5-5 after 5 minutes. With only two training sessions together as a full squad it was clear to see that Pulse were using this first quarter to try and build connections as the game progressed, but a held ball and some miscommunication on passes saw Rhinos start to take a lead, despite several gains in the defensive circle from Keable and Fadoju. The end of the first quarter 12-15 to Rhinos.

No changes for either side going into the second quarter and Pulse started to find form. Clarke and Pitman showed their experience on their Pulse debuts, as they patiently worked the ball around the attacking third and found Neil entering the circle uncontested on multiple occasions, with Neil nailing her shots from a range of positions. A great steal from Clarke brought Pulse back level, 18-18, and a lovely long feed from Pitman seemed to lift the confidence and trust in the Pulse side and they began to take the lead and find Tchine under the post. Another two turnovers from Fadoju helped advance the lead 26-20. Keable continued to do a job against the tall Rhinos shooter and Pulse were able to take their gains and convert them, going into half time leading 34-25.

Bird rewarded the strong efforts of the seven in quarter two and made no changes going into the third quarter. An early steal from Keable set the tone and Pulse showed speed and control bringing out from defence, with Everitt and Fadoju leading the charge. Clarke continued to steady the ship and it was impressive to see the sharing of the load from all the players in attack and defence. Rhinos continued to build pressure, forcing Pulse to go back and eventually turn over the ball, but they still trailed by 8. With 6 minutes to go, Adio and McDonald came on in GK and GA (Tchine and Keable to the bench and Neil to GS). After missing out on the 2022 season due to injury, it was great to have Adio back on court again. Moving to a rotating circle, it took a few phases to adjust but the work of Adio and Fadoju gave the attack another opportunity to prove its success. With just under 4 minutes to go Rattu comes on for Everitt at WD and Pulse win an attacking contact, finished by a beautiful shot from McDonald. A fly from Rattu gets converted by Neil and Pulse end the quarter 47-40.

Going into the final 15 minutes, Dekker is on at C and Scholes is on at WA (Clarke and Pitman to the bench). The speed from Scholes and composure from Dekker complement the movement and rotation of Neil and McDonald in the circle. However, Rhinos do well to read the play and take some interceptions, maintaining the difference of 8. An incredible feed from the centre third from Scholes somehow makes its way to Neil sitting right under the post and the score is 53-43. Impressive team defence from Pulse makes Rhinos have to work hard to get to goal, but they still manage to find Bird under the post. A few mistakes from both sides are seen with 5 minutes to go and the ball goes back and forth, but patience in attack sees Neil and McDonald continue to slot the goals in. Pulse manage to maintain their lead and take the win 64-48.

Great to get a strong win under our belts on the season opener

Head Coach Sam Bird had this to say about the 2023 opening match: “It was great to get a strong win under our belts on the season opener.  It was important to learn about connections and it was great to see those develop through the match.”

PoM is awarded to Berri Neil for a phenomenal performance which included 100% shooting stats

It was amazing to be back on court in front of a packed crowd but we are even more excited that on Friday we get to play in front of our home fans at The Copper Box Arena.  Join us by getting your tickets here