A young Hull FC side battled bravely, but ultimately came up short in West Yorkshire in Tom Briscoe’s Testimonial fixture. The Airlie Birds, who were without several of their first choice side fought hard but the experience of the Rhinos told.
Team News
Brett Hodgson named a much changed side from the pre-season friendly with Bradford Bulls earlier in January, including a first appearance in their new colours for club captain Luke Gale, Darnell McIntosh and Joe Lovodua. Youngsters Charlie Severs and Marcus Walker were rewarded for strong pre-season campaigns with starts, whilst Rising Stars Harvey Barron, Davy Litten, Callum Rutland and Leon Stewart took their place on the interchange bench.
Richard Agar named a strong Rhinos side to mark former Black & White Tom Briscoe’s Testimonial, with new signings David Fusitu’a, Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer starting the game for the Rhinos.
The Match
Hull started brightly on a fresh winter’s afternoon in West Yorkshire, scoring the opening try before the Rhinos had their first use of the ball. First Marcus Walker, then Jordan Lane earned set restarts for Hull, with Jake Connor providing the assist for a spectacular diving finish in the corner from Adam Swift, which Luke Gale converted to give the Black & Whites the early lead.
However, that was as good as things got for Hull, with Jake Connor picking up an injury going for the line in the next set, which led to him leaving the field for Davy Litten just minutes later. Harry Newman made a break with the Rhinos first use of the ball, finding an offload for Kruise Leeming to touch down.
Leeds struck again soon after, winning a penalty for offside and making the most of their territory. The Rhinos worked the ball wide, and Liam Sutcliffe had the strength to take advantage of a gap in the Hull line to move the West Yorkshire side into the lead for the first time.
From there, the remainder of the first half was an even contest, marred by a serious injury for Davy Litten. The West Hull amateur was hit hard by David Fusitu’a and had to leave the field on a stretcher.
Referee Robert Hicks went to his pocket twice in the opening period, first to sin bin Blake Austin for a hit on Luke Gale after the half-back had passed the ball before Gale himself was sent for 10 minutes for preventing a quick restart after Richie Myler caught the ball in goal.
Half Time: Leeds Rhinos 10 – 6 Hull FC
Testimonial man Tom Briscoe opened the scoring for the second half, the Rhinos making the most of their extra man advantage with the first of three quickfire tries. Aidan Sezer struck next, with a clever show and go creating the space to get over the line, before Richie Myler finished a length of the field break by Ash Handley.
After even exchanges Leeds struck next, Zane Tetevano making a break down the middle, his pass to Austin was unselfish for the former Warrington man to add his name to the scoresheet. Briscoe kicked the goal to extend the Rhinos lead.
Hicks went to his pocket again in the second half, sending Aidan Sezer to the sin bin after the Australian went too far in his protests against a Hull penalty.
That man disadvantage didn’t seem to affect the Rhinos, who scored the final try of the afternoon through Rhyse Martin, with Briscoe again converting the try from in front of the posts.
Full Time: Leeds Rhinos 38 – 6 Hull FC
Leeds Rhinos: Richie Myler, Ash Handley, Tom Briscoe, Harry Newman, David Fusitu’a, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kruise Leeming, Zane Tetevano, Morgan Gannon, James Bentley, Cameron Smith
Interchange: Jack Walker, Liam Sutcliffe, Rhyse Martin, Brad Dwyer, Alex Mellor, Bodene Thompson, Jarrod O’Connor, James Donaldson
Hull FC: Jake Connor, Adam Swift, Marcus Walker, Carlos Tuimavave, Darnell McIntosh, Ben McNamara, Luke Gale, Brad Fash, Danny Houghton, Jack Brown, Charlie Severs, Cameron Scott, Jordan Lane
Interchange: Joe Lovodua, Jordan Johnstone, Aidan Burrell, Harvey Barron, Davy Litten, Callum Rutland, Leon Stewart
Scorers:
Leeds Rhinos Tries: Kruise Leeming, Liam Sutcliffe, Tom Briscoe, Aidan Sezer, Richie Myler, Blake Austin, Rhyse Martin
Leeds Rhinos Goals: Aidan Sezer (1/2), Rhyse Martin (2/3), Tom Briscoe (2/2)
Leeds Rhinos Sin Bin: Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer
Hull FC Tries: Adam Swift
Hull FC Goals: Luke Gale (1/1)
Hull FC Sin Bin: Luke Gale
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