Hull FC Under 16s conceded 20 points in a frantic 15-minute spell as they lost 26-16 to Leeds Rhinos’ Scholarship side.
The Black & Whites youngsters’ led 16-6 early in the second-half thanks to tries from Thomas Cheshire, Rio Kassim and Tyler Eccles.
But a chaotic spell midway through the second-half saw the Rhinos run in four tries, turning the game on its head and running out victors at the University of Hull in the first Scholarship match of the season.
The Match
A competitive start between the two sides whet the appetite of the strong crowd on a chilly early spring evening, with Hull making a promising opening account.
But with their first goodball set of the night, Daniel Stelfox crashed over the try line for Leeds, taking in Kai Irvine’s short pass as the Hull defenders anticipated the pass out of the back to the fullback.
Encouraged by their composed start to the match, Hull wrestled back control in the tie despite the visitors drawing first blood. Perhaps Kingsley Sharpe’s pass lacked composure, but Cheshire kept a cool head, picking up the bouncing ball and powering his way over the whitewash.
The arm-wrestle continued, with the scores locked up at six-a-piece. Still, the Airlie Birds looked the more likely, but couldn’t pierce a way through the Rhinos’ rear guard, holding firm.
But on the 38th minute, Hull had a way through. Leeds failed to deal with Josh Horne’s stabbed grubber kick early in the tackle count, and Kassim was the grateful recipient of the bobbling ball to score on his Scholarship debut.
Just on the cusp of half-time, Finlay Davies elected to take a shot at goal when the home side were awarded a penalty for a high tackle, but his attempt sailed just wide of the target.
HALF-TIME: Hull Scholars 10-6 Rhinos Scholars
All of the momentum was with the Black & Whites with the second-half, and their dominance in the tie continued to show when the Rhinos coughed up possession in their opening set of the half.
It didn’t take long for FC to capitalise, with a glorious, well-timed move. Fullback Eccles timed his arching run to perfection, taking in Horne’s deep pass at speed and bulldozing his way over the line, carrying three Leeds defenders on his back.
Hull were playing some tidy Rugby League, and they certainly looked favourites with 25 minutes on the watch. But back-to-back penalties lured Leeds back in, and they had their tails up when Mason Peach sent his winger Thomas Richardson in at the left corner.
Richardson had a second in double quick time – Hull’s discipline once again faltering, as they conceded another penalty for a high tackle.
The Leeds onslaught continued as Harvey Butterworth put the visitors back in front just three minutes later. Leon Hayward did well to catch Kai Irvine’s high kick on his shoulder whilst facing his own try-line, but Zak Lloyd came from behind and ripped the ball from the centre’s grasp. Although Lloyd was upended, the sharp Butterworth pirouetted out of dummy-half to restore the Rhinos’ lead.
Hull’s Under 16s were gathered beneath their sticks for a fourth time in the second-half, when a lapse in ruck control allowed Dacx Jones-Buchanan to canter in under the sticks from 20 metres out.
Although the Black & Whites huffed and puffed in the final fifteen minutes, they ultimately accepted their fate against a relentless Leeds outfit, who came out in top in an enjoyable East Yorkshire affair.
FULL-TIME: Hull Scholars 16-26 Rhinos Scholars
Squads & Scorers
Hull: Eccles, Yorke, Hayward, Cheshire, Nelson-Hewitt, Sharpe, Horne, Wilson, Davies, Smith, Paleaaesina, Kassim, McCracken
Hull Interchanges: Barley, Boulter, Cass, Donnachie, Edwards, Lloyd, Mortimer
Hull Tries: Cheshire, Kassim, Eccles
Hull Goals: Davies (2/4)
Rhinos: Peach, Fagan, Stelfox, Charles, Richardson, White, Irvine, Jones-Buchanan, Butterworth, Rhodes, Ellis, Lloyd, Hardy
Rhinos Interchanges: Rowney, Smith, Staveley-Carr, Tinkler, Tooala, Townend, Wilkinson
Rhinos Tries: Stelfox, Richardson (2), Butterworth, Jones-Buchanan
Rhinos Goals: Hardy (3/3), Irvine (0/2)
STORY SPONSOR
