The Black & Whites put in gutsy, spirited display in defeat as they went down 18-12 to Leeds Rhinos on Sunday afternoon.
In a much-improved performance from Simon Grix’s side, FC went toe to toe with the West Yorkshire side for eighty minutes, but couldn’t find the crucial try to bring the scores level in the final stages despite mounds of pressure.
Hull’s tries came through Morgan Smith and Lewis Martin either side of half-time.
Team News
Simon Grix made six changes to the team that faced St. Helens last Friday.
Ligi Sao and Jack Brown both returned to the match day line up after serving their suspensions. Jack Walker also returned and started at full-back after recovering from injury.
Hull also welcomed loanees Ed Chamberlain and Yusuf Aydin.
Davy Litten, Denive Balmforth, Matty Laidlaw and Zach Jebson all missed out on selection.
Cam Scott dropped out after failing a Head Injury Assessment last week, while Darnell McIntosh has departed the club to join Leigh Leopards.
The Match
Leeds started the game on the front foot by forcing Morgan Smith into touch on the second tackle of the game. Hull recovered well and stoutly defended their line. FC then quickly got good field position following a Sangare knock on in his own half, but nothing came of the early opportunity.
Hull did get the first try, however. Jack Walker broke the line and sent Morgan Smith over to open the scoring. Jack Charles added the extras.
Leeds were quick to hit back. Riley Lumb got space on the right flank and cut back inside to score. Rhyse Martin levelled the scores. They went close to a second on the next set, but Liam Tindall managed to intercept the ball and regain possession. Jack Walker came up with an incredible try saver after 15 minutes to end another Rhinos opportunity.
Simon Grix’s side held strong once more. Three repeat sets on the line were defended and the pressure of Ligi Sao forced an error from the visitors.
Rohan Smith’s side again thought they had their second try through Lachlan Miller, but the try was ruled out for a knock on by the video referee.
Hull had a great chance just before the half hour mark. A Leeds error in their half meant good field position. Smith’s kick on the last was just too long however and the Rhinos survived. Another video referee decision saw Leeds denied a try once more at the end of the following set.
Leeds had their second a few minutes before half time. Lumb chased down Miller’s grubber kick and beat the chasing Hull players to it to grab the try. Martin converted.
Half-Time: Hull FC 6-12 Leeds Rhinos
The second-half started in a cagey fashion, with both sides trading set for set. Lewis Martin forced Miller into touch to break that and give Hull a good opportunity. Back to back penalties followed and FC were camped on the Rhinos line, but a lost ball saw them come away with nothing.
Leeds had a great chance on the 50 minute mark following a Hull error, and they made it count. Cameron Smith took in a short pass and charged over the line from close range. Martin added the points from the boot.
However, Hull quickly responded. The ball was moved from left to right and found Lewis Martin who had space in the corner to ground the ball. Jack Charles converted the try from the touchline. Rohan Smith’s team thought they’d hit back straight away, but were once again ruled out by the video referee, leaving the game on a knife edge as it headed into the final quarter.
The game once again became cagey and tense, with Leeds going closest down Hull’s left, but Croft’s kick found touch. A high tackle from Oledzki broke the trend and Hull found themselves in a good position, but the black and whites couldn’t get over for a try.
Brodie Croft attempted a drop goal with nine minutes to go in the game but was well wide of the target. Hull went extremely close off the back of the seven tackle set, with Morgan Smith being stopped metres out on the last play. Leeds then kicked the ball out on the full, and FC had a great chance to draw level, but the Rhinos dealt with the threat.
Hull had one last chance with two minutes to go. The ball found it’s a way to Martin on the last who was dragged into touch by some strong blue and amber defence.
Full Time: Hull FC 12-18 Leeds Rhinos
Squads
Hull FC: Jack Walker, Lewis Martin, Ed Chamberlain, Liam Sutcliffe, Liam Tindall, Morgan Smith, Jack Charles, Herman Ese’ese, Danny Houghton, Jack Brown, Jordan Lane, Ligi Sao, Joe Cator.
Interchanges: Yusuf Aydin, Will Gardiner, Logan Moy, Franklin Pele.
18th Man: Zach Jebson.
Leeds Rhinos: Lachlan Miller, Riley Lumb, Paul Momirovski, Rhyse Martin, Luis Roberts, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley, Mikolaj Oledzki, Andy Ackers, Justin Sangare, James McDonnell, Mickael Goudemand, Cameron Smith.
Interchanges: Sam Lisone, Jarrod O’Connor, Leon Ruan, Alfie Edgell.
18th Man: Tom Nicholson-Watton
Scorers
Hull FC Tries: Smith (6), Martin (54)
Hull FC Conversions: Charles (7, 55)
Leeds Rhinos Tries: Lumb (11, 34), Smith (51)
Leeds Rhinos Conversions: Martin (12, 35, 52)
Attendance, sponsored by Garbutts: 10,505
Rowe Freight Man of the Match: Jack Walker
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