Leeds Rhinos Reserves 38 Hull FC Reserves 18

By Guy Harvey 

For the first time this season the reserves side were playing at a wet and cold Headingley as a curtain raiser for the first team game also against Hull FC. With a team including experienced first team youngsters Sam Walters and Morgan Gannon there was plenty of excitement for the unbeaten sides going in to the game and it was a game that didn’t disappoint considering the conditions.

The Rhinos almost crossed for a try through Keenan Dyer-Dixon early on however he knocked the ball on as he was trying to gather the ball in the air from scrum half Jack Sinfield's kick on the last. Both sides were ferocious in defence and the Rhinos were first to force the early error from Hull FC in their own thirty and from scrum awarded to the Rhinos the forwards built a platform for the halves to work from putting the ball through hands and finding close season signing Luis Roberts on the right flank to crash over for the first try of the game which was converted by Jack Sinfield.

The Rhinos then went the length of the field with the next set of six putting pressure on the Hull defence and crossing the try line twice but a resilient Hull team held up the attack over the line, however the Rhinos were chomping at the bit and with the next repeat set and following great footwork and a fantastic dummy pass from Jack Sinfield, he was able to find a space for him to ease over the try line to score the four pointer and then convert his own try making the score 12-0 and a dominant start from the Rhinos given the conditions.

The visitors then forced the error from Luis Roberts spilling the ball in the tackle just inside his own half but maybe an element of the wet weather didn’t help. From the scrum Hull had possession in the Rhinos half for the first time in the game and put the ball through hands well and almost finding space for a try but after a knock on from the Leeds defence trying to intercept the ball went close to scoring through Lewis Martin in the corner but Neil Tchamambe’s presence just edged Martin in to touch.

The Rhinos were looking strong in attack with Sam Walters leading from the front with Kai Morgan and Jack Sinfield combining well in the halves but the opposition were also at the races and putting pressure on the Rhinos defence and managed to force a goal line drop out but the Rhinos defence stood strong again and kept the clean sheet. The wet weather began to show towards the back end of the half as errors staring to slip in to the game from both sides. And it was Hull side that capitalised on the back of an Leeds error to come close to scoring but settled for another goal line drop out. This began a few minutes of pressure from the away said having consecutive sets in the Rhinos half following penalties and another goal line drop out but again the youthful Rhinos showed great grit and determination in their defence and forced an error from Sullivan Medforth to relieve the pressure.

In the next set of six to relieve that pressure even more Bailey Aldridge kicked a great 40/20 and the Rhinos tails were certainly up and from the following set of six it didn’t take long for Jack Sinfield to use his footwork to find his way over for his second try of the match, converting his own try to keep his conversion rate at 100% for the match. Hull immediately gained back possession from the kick off after kicking the ball high and the pressure forced the knock on, they again went close to scoring but being held up over the line twice following great defence again by the Rhinos. The Rhinos then went in to attack and glad to have possession back went to work and quickly put the ball through hands finally finding Luis Robert on the right flank again crossing for his second try but Sinfield missing the conversion.

Hull FC again went short with the kick off and forced the error but this time we’re determined to score and after the forwards working hard to find the position they wanted to be in Mackenzie Harman showed some flair and under the sticks to score his try and convert his own effort on the half time hooter sending the sides in at half time with the scores at 22-6 to the home side.

The away side got us underway for the second half but only a couple tackles in gave away a penalty for being offside maybe a little excited to keep on the pressure after scoring on the hooter in the first half and the Rhinos were almost in again with Luis Roberts almost grabbing his hat trick try but fumbled the ball just as he was reaching the try line in the corner.

Both sides began the half defending well but again the conditions began to play its part in the game and after young Jack Sinfield kicked along the turf on the last tackle the Rhinos attack surged forward and the pressure on the Hull full back was to much and he fumbled the ball giving a scrum to the Rhinos deep in to Hull territory and a couple of tackles later Bailey Aldridge found himself under the sticks after forcing his way over and it was Sinfield again converting the try.

Hull then began to put immense pressure on the Rhinos in defence keeping them in their own third of the field but following a break down the middle from Bailey Aldridge and his kick down field Hull found themselves being held up in goal and having to drop out the ball. But the effort from Aldridge was in vain as Hull went short on the drop out and retained possession. The Rhinos were quickly back in attack however and after great hands keeping the ball alive space was made by Leon Ruan who crashed down the blind side to score his first of the match but the kick from Kai Morgan was missed.

The Rhinos almost went back to back with try’s in the next set after Kai Morgan found space in the middle of the paddock to break down the field and with great support from Morgan Gannon the ball found its way to Leon Ruan wanting his second of the game but unfortunately dropping the ball in his efforts to score the try. Hull FC were next on the board after a great chip over the top from the Hull hooker found its way to Lewis Martin who was able to pass it on to Sullivan Medforth who went over under the sticks his try converted by Mackenzie Harman. Straight away however the Hull side were on the break again through Medforth but determined in his efforts Morgan Gannon caught the Hull man and dragged him in to touch.

The Rhinos were scoring again however shortly after with Kai Morgan combining well with his forward pack and kicking the ball through on the floor and the pressure was too much for the Hull full back who could only parry the ball on finding young Leeds winger Keenan Dyer-Dixon who dove over in the corner to score and it was Morgan who converted from touch line. With the game coming to its conclusion it would be Hull FC who would have the final say in this game and score after forcing the error from the Rhinos it was Hull given the scrum in their own thirty and kicking early from the scrum ensued a race to the ball with Morgan Gannon and Manoa Wacokecoke chasing but after another kick on from Manoa Wacokecoke he was able to beat Morgan Gannon to the ball to score the try which was converted by Mackenzie Harman on the final hooter.

The reserves are next in action in the capital city when they take on London Broncos at the Richmond Athletic Ground on Saturday 29^th April with a 3pm kick off.