A dismal display from the Black & Whites saw them fall to defeat at the hands of the Leopards on Saturday afternoon, with Leigh running out convincing 54-4 winners at the MKM Stadium.
The visitors ran in nine tries in all on an afternoon to forget for Tony Smith’s side, with the Airlie Birds unable to find a foothold in the game throughout.
Team News
Tony Smith made several changes to the side at Catalans a week ago. Liam Tindall came in for his debut, recovering from a thumb injury sustained in pre-season.
Liam Sutcliffe started after serving his suspension, while Jack Brown and Franklin Pele were both named on the bench after returning from their own bans.
Cam Scott was also welcomed back to the squad after recovering from a calf injury.
The Match
Hull had a bright first set, getting an overlap and Sutcliffe was nearly through. However, an error at the end of the next set gave Leigh an early opportunity and Umyla Hanley capitalised on it to score. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful. The Leopards extended their lead two sets later, with Josh Charnley’s acrobatic effort being given after a video referee check. Moylan converted.
FC immediately hit back. An error in attack from the visitors saw the ball gifted to the Black and Whites. Tex Hoy ran hard at the line, dummied, and forced his way over a few plays later. The conversion was missed.
However, Adrian Lam’s side added another try through Ricky Leutele after 14 minutes and Moylan converted again. Mulhern scored on the next set, followed by another Moylan conversion.
Tony Smith’s men had the chance to close the gap 5 minutes later, but good sliding defence from the Leopards kept Sutcliffe out. A high tackle saw Hull in good field position on the next set too but nothing came of it.
Leigh extended their lead with just over ten minutes to go in the half with Ben McNamara going over unopposed and Moylan once again converting. A great interception from Tindall ruled out another try for the visitors on the next set. With five minutes to go in the half, Pele put in a huge hit to nullify the onslaught of attack.
Franklin Pele was sent to the bin a few minutes later with seconds to go for a late tackle and Moylan converted the penalty.
Half-Time: Hull FC 4 – 30 Leigh Leopards
Hull started the second-half brightly. A swirling high-kick from Fa’amanu Brown was taken well by Jordan Lane and he was held up metres short of the Leigh line. Brown then broke the line himself and carried Hull into a dangerous position but nothing came from the chance.
The Leopards did score shortly after however, with Oliver Holmes going over from close range. Matt Moylan converted. The visitors thought they were over on the next set but were this time ruled out. However, two minutes later, Oliver Holmes scored his second of the half and Moylan added the extras again.
Hull did go close to scoring next, but Brown’s high kick was knocked on. Tex Hoy then broke the line and ran 50 metres but a cover tackle from Hardaker stopped the threat.
Lam’s side went close to extending their lead through Hardaker with 18 minutes to go but play was pulled back for a forward pass. Moylan did score two minutes later however and converted his own try, racing through under the sticks.
An incorrect play the ball saw Leigh again put pressure on Hull with under 10 minutes to go, but the defence stood strong to keep the Leopards out. However, on the final Leopards attack, Leutele got his second of the afternoon and Moylan converted again.
Hull threatened the Leopards line on the last few sets of the game with Tindall having an opportunity but the pass to him was too high.
Full Time: Hull FC 4 –54 Leigh Leopards
Squads:
Hull FC: Tex Hoy, Darnell McIntosh, Carlos Tuimavave, Liam Sutcliffe, Liam Tindall, Morgan Smith, Fa’amanu Brown, Herman Ese’ese, Danny Houghton, Ligi Sao, Jayden Okunbor, Nick Staveley, Jordan Lane.
Interchanges: Franklin Pele, Cam Scott, Jack Brown, Will Gardiner.
18th Man: Lewis Martin
Leigh Leopards: Gareth O’Brien, Umyla Hanley, Zak Hardaker, Ricky Leutele, Josh Charnley, Matt Moylan, Ben McNamara, Dan Norman, Brad Dwyer, Robbie Mulhern, Kai O’Donnell, Frankie Halton, Jack Hughes.
Interchanges: Owen Trout, Ben Nakubuwai, Ollie Holmes, Matt Davis.
18th Man: Ed Chamberlain.
The Scorers:
Hull FC Tries: Hoy (10)
Hull FC Conversions: –
Leigh Leopards Tries: Hanley (3), Charnley (8), Leutele (14, 73), Mulhern (17), McNamara (28), Holmes (48, 52), Moylan (64)
Leigh Leopards Conversions: Moylan (8, 15, 18, 30, 40, 48, 53, 66, 75)
Attendance, sponsored by Garbutts: 10,227
STORY SPONSOR
