Hull FC 16-12 Leeds Rhinos

Both teams made good starts with the early exchanges even, but neither side could find that telling pass or kick to test the defence. Hull took a 2 point lead on 10 minutes with a Tickle penalty goal and 5 minutes later following a line break from R. Horne, M. Sing grabbed a close range 4 pointer which was turned into 6 by in form kicker D. Tickle to stretch the lead to 8-0.

On 17 minutes Leeds marched up-field and J. Jones-Buchanan latched onto a very dubious inside Ball from McGuire, to score under the posts which K. Sinfield converted to bring them within 2 points at 8-6, It was on the 20 minute mark Mr Smith sin binned D. McGuire for a nothing offence which should have given Hull a real advantage, however it was Leeds who despite having only 12 started to take control and Hull instead of keeping the ball in play and using the extra man to test the Leeds scramble defence, they just played for territory, kicking early and for touch, which suited Leeds, who at the ensuing scrums wore down the clock, strangely when McGuire returned Hull seemed to spark into life as did the partisan crowd when on 34minutes S. Briscoe pounced onto a little grubber by R. Horne to score a well rehearsed play which was goaled by D. Tickle  to stretch the lead to 14-6 and that was the half time score.

Hull started the 2nd half well with the rampaging W. Manu wreaking havoc in the Leeds defence and with P. King, H. Maiava and D. Tickle providing some robust go forward Hull Dominated the opening 20 minutes of the third quarter, with Leeds playing to far from Hull’s Defensive line and coughing up to much ball, Leeds failed to complete any of their fist 6 possessions due to poor handling and Hull’s  superior defensive line speed , Hull started to build pressure and win the battle for field position  when a high shot went in on Briscoe Hull took the 2 points via the boot of Tickle to creep even further in front at 16-6.

The two teams entered the final quarter with Leeds controlling the ball an arm wrestle pursued until J. Thackray bust the Hull line and give a neat offload to the speedy McGuire who raced 60 metres before bamboozling the Hull Cover and slipping a lovely pass to the supporting B. Webb who scored under the sticks, with Sinfield off the field it was Little dynamo R. Burrow who kicked the conversion and it was game on at 16-12 with 12 minutes remaining.  Leeds looked full of energy whilst Hull were trying to stem the wave of attack’s and repeat sets that just kept coming but led by R. Swain, D. Tickle and co Hull just hung on for a valuable 2 points in a game that they had to dig deep to win by 16 points to 12.

Summary: It was a scrappy encounter were both packs were evenly matched with some good collisions and glimpses of skill but it was hard for the backline to get quality ball, both teams had good spells but Hull Just edged it with the better defence.

Best for Hull were Manu, Briscoe and Horne in attack and Swain, Tickle and Yeaman in defence. Best for Leeds were McGuire, Thackray and Ellis in attack and Bailey, Ellis and Peacock in defence. 

Hull FC: 1. S. Briscoe 2. M. Sing 3. C. Hall 4. K. Yeamen 5. G. Raynor 6. R. Horne 7. T. Lee  8. E. Dowes 9. R. Swain 10. G. Carvell 11. L. Radford 12.W.Manu 13.D.Tickle

SUBS: 14. M. Tony 15. S. Domic 16. P. King 17. H. Maiava                           
 
Leeds: 1. B. Webb 2. S. Donald 3. C. Toopi 4. K. Senior 5. R. Hall. 6. D. McGuire 7. R. Burrow  8. R. Bailey 9. I. Kirke 10. J. Peacock 11. J. Jones-Buchanan 12. G. Ellis 13. K. Sinfield

SUBS:14. J. Tansey 15. J. Thackray 16. C. Ablett 17. K. Leuluai                      
 
Match official: Ian Smith.                                                                                                                                          

Attendance: 14,256                                 

Scorers:

Hull:

Tries: Sing, Briscoe      Goals: Tickle 4

Leeds:

Tries: Jones-Buchanan, Webb       Goals: Sinfield 1 Burrow 1

Match Rating: 3/5