The BUCS Northern Premier Division has been warned. Leeds mean business.
In a rousing comeback inspired by the sharp shooting of the tireless Sophie Duncan and the unflappable club captain Steph Whitfield, the home side overpowered their visitors from the other side of the Pennines on Wednesday evening. Trailing at half time after a masterclass in finishing from Manchester’s Northern Thunder goal shooter Krista Enziano, the Gryphons produced a blistering third quarter to turn the tide.
Sisters Amy and Lauren Potter, both of whom are England internationals, were under constant bombardment during the opening exchanges as Manchester raced into a commanding 4-1 lead. The hosts refused to be cowed, though, and took an improbable 8-7 advantage into the first break with four unanswered goals in two minutes. A pinpoint pass by centre Shana Potgieter left Whitfield with an easy task as Leeds ended the quarter at breakneck speed.
However, Alex Kirk’s charges were rocked by their opponents’ rapid start to the next period. The ruthless Enziano even turned provider as Manchester began to impose themselves on proceedings once again and, although Whitfield scored a quickfire brace from the edge of the goal circle to restore parity, it was the away team who were ahead at half time.
Nevertheless, any head of steam that Manchester had built up was soon dispelled by three well executed goals by the omnipresent Whitfield, who was a thorn in the visitors’ side all evening. Leeds fell behind once again in the thirty ninth minute but this would be the last time, Kathryn Blackburn’s incisive distribution coupled with Potgieter’s energy propelling their teammates into a 29-26 lead from which they never looked back.
The final quarter was dominated by the Gryphons, who didn’t seem to be missing the injured Great Britain University Netball captain, Natalie Haythornthwaite. This was thanks in part to the unerring accuracy of Duncan, who added to her personal tally five more times as the game drew to a close. Fittingly, her attacking partner put the icing on the cake, spinning away from her marker to convert.
Leeds Sports Performance Coach Gareth Weaver-Tyler put his finger on the difference between the two sides, remarking that the hosts ‘were able to maintain their intensity for longer’, an opinion echoed by team captain Potgieter, who praised her team for “keeping it together”.

Jack Arscott
Netball
Leeds 1sts 40-32 Manchester 1sts