Leeds Rhinos 18 Hull FC 16

A late Ryan Hall try saw Leeds Rhinos pick the pockets of Hull FC in another captivating match at AMT Headingley that leaves the Rhinos fourth in the Betfred Super League table.

It was a second consecutive Headingley thriller against opposition from the Humber, a topsy turvy affair that saw both sides dominate at various stages. In a breathless second half, the Rhinos defied a disappointing first forty to snatch victory with just two minutes to play.

There were two changes made from the starting thirteen which secured a magic weekend victory against St Helens last time out. Ryan Hall came back in for Alfie Edgell, while Brodie Croft made his first appearance in over a month, replacing his young deputy Jack Sinfield at Scrum Half. Co-captain Cameron Smith also returned to the bench.

Leeds started the match brightly in and out of possession, moving the ball with fluidity and dominating the centre despite not creating any clear-cut opportunities. After ten minutes, a desperate block from Jordan Rapana on Jake Connor saw Hull’s right centre stretchered off to play no further part in proceedings.

The extended stoppage gave Hull a breather and they fought their way back into the match as Rhinos continued to struggle for opportunities. Half chances via a slapped pass from Jake Connor and a loopy kick from Lachie Miller were all they could muster despite their dominance overall.

Disaster then struck for Leeds, carelessly conceding the first points following a scrum 15 yards from goal. Hull caught the Loiners out on the left hand side, captain Aidan Sezer finding Will Pryce, who slotted through Lewis Martin to slide over. The kick from wide left was missed, a wild shank from Sezer which sent the ball dribbling right of the post.

The Rhinos looked to shake off the disappointment quickly and thought they had done so when Jarrod O’Connor looked to have squeezed over on the last. However, it was adjudged no try by referee Jack Smith and video assistant Liam Moore.

Things went from bad to worse as another close call went against Leeds. Prop forward Sam Eseh bundled over just left of the posts and it was decided that he had got the ball down, despite the available camera angles appearing inconclusive. Seza made no mistake with a close central kick and Hull stretched their lead to ten without reply.

Leeds were able to salvage something from a disappointing first half with just thirty seconds left on the clock as Miller released the returning Brodie Croft, who utilised a dummy pass to slip through James Mcdonnell to crash over. In the last action of the half, Miller failed to convert a tough wide kick and Rhinos went into the changing rooms six in arrears.

A bright start to the second half from Hull saw them force Leeds back over their own line with a rolling rook. Shortly after, a hopeful kick caused chaos for the Leeds backline as it ricocheted off the post. The ball was collected by former Rhino Zak Hardaker and was released via John Asiata to Harvey Barron to touch down wide right. Sezer then converted a tough kick to stretch the Airlie Birds’ lead to eight.

Just as they had following Hull’s previous try, Leeds came roaring back. Smart interplay from Miller and Ash Handley helped the gold and blue creep up the left-hand side. Sam Lisone then charged forward to eat up further ground before the ball then made its way to Tom Holroyd. The prop, who recently signed a new long-term contract, was not to be denied a try to mark the occasion and he defied three hull players to crash over, with Miller converting the subsequent kick from close range.

Leeds then had to hang on for a period which included a try saving tackle from Brodie Croft twenty yards from goal as well as a joint defensive effort to stop the in-form Herman Ese’ese right on the try line.

Both actions were proven vital when the Rhinos were able to force their way back into the match. Restarting on the last and thirty-five yards from goal, Leeds backed their ground game, unfurling four perfect passes to the leftm with Riley Lumb the man to sweep over the line. Lachie Miller had the chance to level things up with fifteen to play, but once more failed to convert from wide.

Both teams fought valiantly to the end as Hull wrestled back momentum once more. But, following their late disappointment against Hull KR two weeks ago, it was Leeds’ turn to snatch a thriller at the death. Kallum Watkins collected a bobbling ball in what proved to be Hull’s last attack to give Leeds one more chance, which they grabbed with both hands.
Watkins once more was involved, brought down just in front of the goal line. In the subsequent play, Lachie Miller picked out Ryan Hall on the right touchline, who showed pace, strength and determination to leap over the line and send Headingley into raptures. The result leaves Leeds two points clear in fourth with four wins in their last five matches.

Teams
Rhinos
1. Lachie Miller, 5. Ryan Hall, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Ash Handley, 23. Riley Lumb, 18. Jake Connor, 6. Brodie Croft, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 14. Jarred O’Connor, 10. Keenan Palasia, 12. James McDonnell, 16. Morgan Gannon, 28. Kallum Watkins
Subs: 15. Sam Lisone, 19. Tom Holroyd, 20. James Bentley, 19. Cameron Smith
Tries: McDonnell, Holroyd, Lumb, Hall
Goals: Miller

Hull FC
5. Will Pryce, 2. Harvey Barron, 1. Jordan Rapana, 20. Davy Litten, 22. Lewis Martin, 14. Cade Cust, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Herman Ese’Ese, 9. Amir Bourouh, 40. Liam Knight, 3. Zak Hardaker, 4. Ed Chamberlain, 13. John Asiata
Subs: 5. Tom Briscoe, 39. Sam Eseh Jr, 17. Jack Ashworth, 19. Brad Fash
Tries: Martin, Eseh, Barron
Goals: Sezer (2)