Sheffield Steelers 55 Rhinos 63

National League 1^st Division North

In the second of their two weekend games, the Rhinos travelled to Sheffield to play the Steelers who are the only team to have beaten the Rhinos so far this season.

Rhinos started well and were 10 – 4 up after five minutes thanks to baskets from Simon Munn and Kyle Marsh.

This saw the introduction of Colin Price and Steve Owen for Steelers. Both immediately got on the scoresheet and reduced the gap to one point at 12 – 11.

Rhinos then scored two baskets without reply to lead 16 – 11, before Paul Hudson hit one from the line to make the score 16 – 12 at the end of the quarter.

Both teams found themselves in foul trouble in a stormy first quarter which included two technical fouls, but only two free throws were hit from a total of eleven as neither team punished the opposition from the line.

The lead changed hands twice at the start of the 2^nd quarter, as Sheffield came back into the game. Rhinos then went on a 6 – 0 run including two from two from the line for Sally Wager, as they opened up their biggest lead of the game at 28 – 20.

Steelers ended the quarter with a 6 – 2 run of their own going into the half time break down 30 – 26.

The 3^rd quarter was evenly balanced with the teams scoring basket for basket until the sixth minute when Rhinos managed to put a few stops together at the defensive end enabling them to go on a 9 – 0 scoring spree with Marsh and Darren Peasley doing the damage.

Rhinos had extended their lead to fourteen points going into the final period 49 – 35 ahead.

Munn scored for Rhinos to give them a sixteen point margin but with Sheffield pressurising the ball full court, Rhinos made some turnovers which the home team took advantage of and with four minutes to go, the score was 51 – 45 to the Rhinos.

Wager then managed to hit a lay-up, followed by one from Munn which stopped the Sheffield run and made the score 55 – 45.

Sheffield tried to close the gap and managed to get it down to five points in the final minute but Rhinos held on for the win, 63 – 55.

Scorers: Rhinos: Munn 18, Howley 18, Marsh 12, Wager 8, Peasley 3, Byrne 2, Docherty 2.

Steelers: Price 18, Owen 14, Hayes 7, Bramley 7, Buttery 6, Hudson 3.

Rhinos have now moved up to third in the league with games in hand on the top two. They next play table toppers Tameside Owls at home on the 22^nd December.