Rhinos 1st team travelled north to Sheffield for the first game of their season to play NGH Steelers, who had started their season strongly already having two wins and no losses under their belts.

Matt Byrne opened up the scoring for The Rhinos as they started well going 6-0 up within three minutes.

A succession of poor offences and missed shots though, allowed NGH back into the game, and the early advantage had been lost.

Six points from Sally Wager however, kept the Rhinos just ahead at the end of the 1st quarter, 10-8.

NGH levelled the game at the start of the 2nd quarter, but then saw Rhinos go on a 13 – 2 run to lead by 11.

Both teams were struggling to finish under the basket in a low scoring game, but with half-time approaching, NGH managed an 8 – 0 run of their own to make the score 23 – 20 to Rhinos at the break.

An unhappy Rhinos looked down during the interval knowing they hadn’t played anywhere near their potential.

This continued in the 3rd quarter though, as the introduction of Jess Pilkington seemed to lift NGH who took the lead 31 – 29 for the first time in the game.

Coach Sinclair Thomas took to the court and controlled the ball for The Rhinos creating various opportunities which still weren’t being taken.

They did however, manage to get their noses back in front for the end of the quarter, 32 – 31.

Experienced forward Fred Howley stepped up and scored all his 8 points for the game in the 4th quarter, as him and Simon Munn dominated inside to score 14 points between them for The Rhinos to take the final period 14 – 9 and secure a 46 – 40 victory.

Scorers: Rhinos: Munn 14, Byrne 8, Howley 8, Wager 6, Marsh 3, Fosbrook 3, Docherty 2, Thomas 2. NGH Steelers: Hall 12, Pilkington 12, Sagar 8, Gordon 4, Anderson 4.

With the first game out of the way, Rhinos travel to Liverpool next Saturday to play Greenbank hoping for a marked improvement in performance.