Panthers got their revenge as they won against Rhinos in added time

photo taken from @rhinosnetball on instagram

Birmingham Panthers won 71-69 against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday Afternoon after playing added time at Worcester Arena. For only the second time in NSL history, there was extra time played as Betsy Creak won it for Panthers. 

Rhinos had the first centre pass with Sigi Burger vs Geva Mentor being a key battle out on court as well as Joyce Mvula and Jas Brown as they were ones to keep an eye on. Sigi Burger was not particularly happy with some of the positioning that she had on court when trying to get her shots in. 

Jas Brown intercepted the ball on multiple occasions to help her team with Birmingham Panthers continually having good feeds across the scoring circle. For Leeds Rhinos, Cassie Howard had good defensive work which also kept her team within it as Panthers constantly worked hard when on the ball. 

Birmingham Panthers had Gabby Sinclair come on for Sigi Burger just as the super shot siren went with good passes into the key parts on court. 

End of First Quarter score: Birmingham Panthers 15-14 Leeds Rhino 

Leeds Rhinos managed to bring it back and brought the game forward into the half time break with Joyce Mvula getting 15 normal shots to her name as well as a Super Shot. Jess Shaw in the WA bib had good play between herself and Sigi Burger with Betsy Creak also helping the panthers side. 

Birmingham Panthers did the same in the second half as they did the first as they swapped out Sigi Burger for Gabby Sinclair and moved Betsy Creak into the Goal Shoot bib. Jas Brown continued to try and pile the pressure onto the Leeds Rhinos side but the team from Yorkshire went into the break up, with the side bringing short and quick balls into the spaces to make sure that the ball flowed better.  

Half-time score: Birmingham Panthers 28-36 Leeds Rhino 

Birmingham Panthers brought the scoreline back to close range after a good performing 15 minutes for the hosts. Panthers had the same seven in which it ended with, as Sinclair stayed on instead of Sigi Burger. Both Jess Shaw and Jas Brown had good intercepts and rebounds to help their side climb back to reaching distance. 

Betsy Creak completely brought it back for the hosts with herself having 8 one point shots and 4 two pointers with Joyce Mvula for the rhinos continuing to perform shot after shot for her side. 

End of Third Quarter score: Birmingham Panthers 45-49 Leeds Rhino 

Sigi Burger came back on as Goal Shooter with Panthers continuing to play well after scoring 14 in the quarter compared to rhinos 10. Jess Shaw had good play throughout the match including intercepts and receiving loose balls from rhinos as well as Cassie Howard doing similar for the Yorkshire side. After good performances all round, the game went into the second extra time of the weekend with the super shot still in play throughout the duration. 

Full time score: Birmingham Panthers 59-59 Leeds Rhino 

Extra Time: 

This was only the second time this happened this season after the London Mavericks and Cardiff Dragons game on Saturday 3rd May. Panthers came out on top after winning 12-10 in the final 10 minutes with Betsy Creak continuing to put out long ball after long ball to help them get their second win of the season. 

Sky Sports Player of the Match: 

Ruth Hughes received player of the match for Birmingham Panthers after a good performance on the pitch and helped her side move the ball along from side to side. 

What’s to come for the sides: 

On Friday 9th, Panthers host Cardiff Dragons with first centre pass at 7.30pm meanwhile for Leeds Rhinos they head to Loughborough Lightning on Saturday 10th with a first centre pass at 6pm. 

Teams: 

Birmingham Panthers starting seven: Sigi Burger (GS), Betsy Creak (GA), Jess Shaw (WA), Ruth Hughes (C), Michelle Magee (WD), Gabby Coffey (GD), Jas Brown (GK). 

Impact Players: Ellen Withington, Aliyah Zaranyika, Gabby Sinclair. 

Leeds Rhinos starting seven: Joyce Mvula (GS), Harriet Jones (GA), Bethany Brittain (WA), Ash Dekker (C), Cassie Howard (WD), Ella Bowen (GD), Geva Mentor (GK). 

Impact Players: Sophie Egbaran, Rosie Harris, Jess Haynes.