The Black & Whites battled their way to their first victory since March with a dominant display against the Rhinos in their Hull&Proud Week Big Day Out fixture, defeating Leeds 18-10 at the MKM Stadium.
Tries from Lewis Martin, Denive Balmforth and Cam Scott saw Simon Grix’s side in control for long periods, two late tries in a rain-sodden and error-strewn first-half seeing FC into a commanding position into the break.
Scott’s third for FC after the restart strengthen FC’s position in the contest, ending their painful losing streak.
Team News
Simon Grix made three changes to the side that visited Huddersfield two weeks ago.
Carlos Tuimavave recovered from his injury to start in the centres, while Denive Balmforth made the lineup following his loan at Swinton.
Lewis Martin also came into the starting lineup.
Both Harvey Barron and Danny Houghton dropped out of the side, while Davy Litten dropped to the 18th Man.
The Match
Hull FC had an early attacking opportunity following a great 40/20 from Ben Reynolds. Ese’ese was held up on the first before Leeds were penalised for an illegal ball steal and FC thought they’d made it count, but the video referee ruled out the try. Hull’s bright start continued, with Moy quickest to react to a Croft kick to put an end to the Rhinos’ first attack.
The visitors then looked to pile on the pressure, throwing it around on the last until Croft tried a chip and chase, but Moy beat him to it. Leeds then had a try of their own ruled out by the video referee due to a knock on, bringing a frantic opening ten minutes to a close.
It was FC’s turn to attack next, with Reynolds putting up a towering crossfield kick, but Fusitu’a jumped highest to claim it in the in goal.
An error from Grix’s side saw the visitors have a set on the Hull line on the 20 minute mark. A kick from Frawley was knocked on by the Black and Whites but the Rhinos were penalised for offside, helping FC turn defence into attack. Lewis Martin thought he’d posted the first points of the game but his try was also ruled out, after three sets on the Rhinos line.
Both sides made numerous errors in a scruffy period of the game over the next ten minutes. Neither side managed to gain the advantage during that period but FC went closest through Morgan Smith.
Leeds looked bright around the half hour mark, with Frawley’s kick forcing Hull to concede the drop out. Sam Lisone’s forward pass brought an end to that dangerous looking attack.
However, it was Hull who broke the deadlock. With four minutes to go in the half, a beautiful cutout ball found it’s way to Lewis Martin who burrowed over for the opening score. Reynolds added the extras.
FC had time for another before half time too. Denive Balmforth dived over from dummy half to score the second of the game. Reynolds added the extras.
Half-Time: Hull FC 12-0 Leeds Rhinos
Hull FC started the second half on the front foot, ending the opening set just five metres from the Leeds line. The next set was even more rewarding with the Black and Whites getting another try. Carlos Tuimavave looked to go right before passing back inside to Cam Scott who touched down. Reynolds added the extras.
An offside call saw the visitors have a great opportunity to hit straight back, but the ball came loose on the first tackle and FC got the ball back.
Leeds had another chance on the 55th minute to score their first points. Frawley’s kick bounced past everyone except Ash Handley who managed to ground the ball in the left corner. Rhyse Martin missed the conversion attempt.
The Rhinos looked to attack again down the left edge but Martin jumped highest to claim the ball before Reynolds kicked another brilliant 40/20 to get Hull out of danger. Cam Scott nearly in for his second of the afternoon but couldn’t take in a fast ball.
It was Hull’s turn to pile on the pressure then, with Tuimavave and Briscoe both being held up just short and unable to extend the home sides lead.
With just under ten minutes to go in the game, Tom Briscoe was shown a yellow card for a professional foul on his own tryline. Leeds went close to scoring off the back of the resulting penalty but lost control of the ball a few metres out.
The last major act of the game saw Leeds score a late try with Harry Newman taking in a cut out ball to score in the left corner. Rhyse Martin added the extras.
With two minutes to go, Newman broke the line down the left edge once more and cut back inside, before the ball was knocked on at the play the ball, confirming the Hull FC win.
Full Time: Hull FC 18-10 Leeds Rhinos
Squads
Hull FC: Logan Moy, Tom Briscoe, Carlos Tuimavave, Liam Sutcliffe, Lewis Martin, Jake Trueman, Ben Reynolds, Herman Ese’ese, Morgan Smith, Ligi Sao, Jordan Lane, Cam Scott, Brad Fash.
Interchanges: Jack Ashworth, Denive Balmforth, Yusuf Aydin, Tiaki Chan.
18th Man: Davy Litten.
Leeds Rhinos: Lachlan Miller, David Fusitu’a, Paul Momirovski, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Mickael Goudemand, James McDonnell, Rhyse Martin, Cam Smith.
Interchanges: Tom Holroyd, Sam Lisone, Justin Sangare, Corey Johnson.
18th Man: Alfie Edgell.
Scorers
Hull FC Tries: Martin (36), Balmforth (39), Scott (44)
Hull FC Conversions: Reynolds (37, 40, 45)
Leeds Rhinos Tries: Handley (55), Newman (76)
Leeds Rhinos Conversions: Martin (77)
Attendance, sponsored by Garbutts: 12,166
Rowe Freight Man of the Match: Denive Balmforth
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