Match Report: Hull FC 22-40 Leeds Rhinos

Match Report: Hull FC 22-40 Leeds Rhinos

The match report from Emerald Headingley as Hull took on Leeds Rhinos at late notice

Match Report News

A depleted yet spirited Hull FC side were defeated 40-22 by next weekend’s Challenge Cup finalists Leeds Rhinos at Emerald Headingley Stadium this evening.

Castleford Tigers were Leeds’ original opponents for this evening’s fixture, but due to several positive COVID-19 tests, Daryl Powell’s side were forced to withdraw from the tie.

Hull, despite missing thirteen players, stepped in to play the match, which proved to be a high-octane affair with no shortage of drama.

After taking an early 10-0 lead through Mahe Fonua and Andre Savelio tries, Leeds posted 28 unanswered points. FC fought back, though, and scored a quickfire second-half double through Josh Griffin and Jack Brown, reviving any comeback hopes.

But Liam Sutcliffe notched Leeds’ sixth try of the game with fifteen minutes to go, taking the comeback just beyond a spirited FC side.

Team News

After putting themselves forward to play just under 24 hours before kick-off in tonight’s game, Hull FC were without thirteen players for the match with Leeds.

Joe Cator, Jordan Lane, Masi Matongo, Gareth Ellis, Albert Kelly, Ratu Naulago, Danny Houghton, Scott Taylor, Josh Jones, Adam Swift, Manu Ma’u, Kieran Buchanan and Jamie Shaul were all unavailable for selection.

After impressing on debut from the bench last week, young halfback Ben McNamara started in the halves alongside Marc Sneyd. Meanwhile, Fonua made his 150th career appearance.

Young fullback Jack Walker returned from injury and started in the number one jersey, with Richie Myler moving into the halves to replace Rob Lui, who picked up a minor knock in the week.

Alex Mellor also dropped out of the squad for the Challenge Cup finalists, with former Warrington and Toronto forward Bodene Thompson acting as his replacement.

The Match

After an tight battle for territory early on, it was Hull who won the first arm wrestle of the match. Good pressure from McNamara forced an error from Walker, and late on in the resulting set, Jake Connor found Fonua with a short pass. The Tongan international had too much power and scored the first try of the match for the Airlie Birds, with Marc Sneyd dragging his conversion attempt just wide.

An outstanding pass from Connor sent Cameron Scott flying down the right wing, but he was upended just short of the Leeds try line. However, some overly-eager defending from Myler saw him penalised and sent to the sin bin for an offside offence.

And from the resulting set, FC made the Rhinos pay. Soft hands from McNamara found Savelio’s well-timed line and the 25-year-old bagged Hull’s second try of the evening. Sneyd tagged on the extras to make it 10-0.

Leeds posted their first points of the game with thirteen minutes remaining until half-time. Hull couldn’t deal with a teasing Gale kick and Walker was on hand to pick up the loose ball and slide over to the left of the sticks. Martin converted.

The Rhinos hit Hull with a double-whammy moments later. Good shape earned Leeds an extra man on the left edge, and Walker demonstrated good skill to fling the ball wide to Handley, who burrowed over in the corner. Martin couldn’t convert, so the scores were tied at 10-a-piece.

Leeds took the lead for the first time on the stroke of half-time, turning the game on its head. More pressure on the FC defence told as Prior managed to offload excellently, and Walker was on hand to score the Rhinos’ third try of the game. Martin made it 16-10 from the tee.

HALF-TIME: Hull FC 10-16 Leeds Rhinos

Leeds managed to earn a repeat set early in the second half as a result of a high kick from Gale. Donaldson managed to get the ball down underneath the sticks on the second play, despite the best efforts of the FC defenders. Martin converted with ease from in front of the uprights, making it 22-10 to the Rhinos.

All of the momentum was with Leeds, and in the blink of an eye they posted their fifth try of the game. Dwyer made a cut-throat break, and he found Handley in support, who out-stripped Connor for pace to bag his brace. Martin added the extras.

Despite dominating the second half for fifteen minutes, Hull wrestled their way back into the contest thanks to a perfect 40/20 from Connor. Early in the set, Griffin powered over from close range. Sneyd converted, bringing the Black & Whites back to within 12 points of Richard Agar’s side.

The momentum appeared to have switched back towards the Black & Whites as Sneyd kicked FC’s second 40/20 in a matter of moments. Again, FC crossed the whitewash from the resulting set, as Brown managed to ground the ball underneath the sticks, demonstrating excellent power and strength. Sneyd converted and Hull were back to within six points.

Just as the Airlie Birds were building a head of steam, Leeds put a stop to FC’s comeback attempts. A teasing kick into Hull’s in-goal area wasn’t dealt with, and Sutcliffe won the aerial duel before grounding the ball. Martin tagged on the extras.

Handley made sure of the two points for the Rhinos as he plucked a loose ball out of the air and raced down the left flank to seal his hat-trick. Martin took Leeds to the 40-mark with the conversion.

FULL-TIME: Hull FC 22-40 Leeds Rhinos

Squads & Scorers

Hull FC: Jake Connor, Cameron Scott, Carlos Tuimavave, Mahe Fonua, Bureta Faraimo, Ben McNamara, Marc Sneyd, Ligi Sao, Jordan Johnstone, Josh Bowden, Andre Savelio, Josh Griffin, Brad Fash

Hull Interchanges: Lewis Bienek, Jack Brown, Chris Satae, Connor Wynne

Hull Tries: Fonua, Savelio, Griffin, Brown

Hull Goals: Sneyd (3/4)

Leeds: Jack Walker, Ash Handley, Liam Sutcliffe, Konrad Hurrell, Tom Briscoe, Richie Myler, Luke Gale, Ava Seumanufagai, Kruise Leeming, Mikolaj Oledzki, Bodene Thompson, Rhyse Martin, Matt Prior

Leeds Interchanges: James Donaldson, Brad Dwyer, Tom Holdroyd, Cameron Smith

Leeds Tries: Walker (2), Handley (3), Donaldson, Sutcliffe

Leeds Goals: (6/7)