SL Report: Ellis limps out as Leeds see off Hull

James Gordon

 

Gareth Ellis was forced to watch from the sidelines as former club Leeds eventually put Hull to the sword at Headingley.

Hull’s marquee signing from the NRL limped off in the warm-up with what was rumoured to be a recurrance of an ankle injury sustained playing for Wests Tigers last year.

The visitors battled bravely without him, and for the best part of an hour, stood toe to toe with the champions, before Leeds cut loose in the final quarter, running in five tries to secure a 36-6 win.

In a scrappy but fast-paced first half, the Rhinos took the lead when Kevin Sinfield pounced on a mistake in the Hull defence, as two players failed to gather a low kick, to dribble the ball over the line and touch down himself.

But for the middle third of the game, Hull defended stoutly, and their efforts were rewarded when Joe Arundel took an offload close to the line to touch down on his debut.

Hull started the second half well, until the Rhinos struck against the run of play with two quick-fire tries which ultimately settled the match.

A quick play the ball near the line by Ryan Bailey helped Sinfield attack the line, and his fierce pass was collected and touched down by Joel Moon, on his debut for Leeds.

Minutes later, prop Jamie Peacock crashed over under the sticks to make it 18-6, and that seemingly broke a tiring Hull’s resolve.

Chris Clarkson broke through from 20 metres for a score of his own, before Danny McGuire got a try, and then Ryan Hall wrapped up the scoring with a break away at the end.

In the night’s other match, Salford failed to register a point in their first game under the ownership of Dr Marwan Koukash at the Salford City Stadium.

Sam Tomkins scored a hat-trick of tries, as Wigan overcame an encouraging first half display by the Reds to run in 42-0 winners.

Trailing 16-0 at half time, Salford ultimately tired in the second half to enable the Warriors to claim the two points, with Matty Smith, Josh Charnley, Ian Thornley, Pat Richards and Liam Farrell getting on the scoresheet.