Liverpool 39 Rhinos 73

Liverpool 39 - 73 Wolverhampton Rhinos 1 1st Division North.

Rhinos’ first team travelled to Merseyside to play a Liverpool team weakened by the absence of GB international Ade Orogbemi who is recovering from an elbow injury.

Rhinos themselves were without one of their GB international players with Simon Munn not available to play.

After Rhinos’ less than convincing display in their opening match of the season, they wanted to not only win this game, but to put on a good performance, and with the forwards shooting well on the inside and the guards shooting well from the outside, it enabled them to open up a 15-4 lead.

The only person troubling The Rhinos’ defence was young GB star Abdi Jama - he scored ten of Liverpool’s twelve 1st quarter points with the score 22 - 12.

Rhinos stepped up their defence on Jama in the 2nd quarter keeping him to only two points, and the whole team to single figures winning the quarter 20 - 9 as Rhinos continued to dominate the game finishing the half 42 - 21 up.

The 3rd quarter was much of the same with The Rhinos managing to get shots from wherever they wanted.

Gaps being created by the guards allowed forward Darren Peasley to take full advantage of this as Liverpool struggled to stop him scoring.

He scored twelve of Rhinos’ twenty points extending their lead to 62 - 30.

Coach Sinclair Thomas gave increased court time to his bench in the 4th quarter which resulted in a more even contest, as the game finished 73 - 39 to Rhinos.

It was a far better performance from the team than they showed against Sheffield, and they will look to build on that in their next fixture on Saturday 20th October at home to a strong Knights team who will be over from Belfast.

Scorers: Rhinos: Peasley 18, Marsh 13, Howley 10, Foden 9, Byrne 8, Wager 6, Docherty 4, Fosbrook 3, Ray 2.

Liverpool: Jama 21, Davies 9, Robertson 4, McMullen 2, Bukhzam 2, Mogan 1.