Hull KR Reserves 34 Leeds Rhinos Reserves 26

By Guy Harvey

Hull KR and Leeds served up a fantastic advert for rugby league at Craven Park, with the home side narrowly emerging victorious. Hull, boasting a number of Super League talents including World Club Champion Jai Whitbread, started the game in fine fashion.

With the Robins deep in Leeds territory, hooker Bill Leyland spotted his opportunity metres from the try line and opted to go himself, the Rhinos’ defence no match as he crossed for an early try. Jack Charles added the conversion to put Hull KR six points up after just a few minutes.

Leeds hit back soon after when a pass found centre Marcus Qareqare, who stepped off his left foot, cut back across the Hull line and weaved through defenders to score beside the posts. Zak Lloyd’s conversion levelled the scores at 6-6.

Leeds took the lead for the first time midway through the first half when back-rower Oliver Smart reacted quickest to a delicate grubber kick from Harry Smith. Lloyd’s conversion made it 12-6 to the visitors.

Hull responded minutes later when halves Jack Charles and Ryan Hampshire combined to spread the ball wide, creating an overlap for winger Harvey Horne to score in the corner. Charles missed the difficult conversion, leaving the score at 10-12.

As half-time approached, Hull turned the screw with two quick tries. First, Jack Charles broke through the middle and found half-back partner Ryan Hampshire on his shoulder, who raced in to score. Charles converted to put Hull 16-12 ahead. With seconds remaining, Hull struck again from a break down the right edge, an inside pass setting up full-back Declan Murphy to score under the posts. Charles added the extras, sending Hull into the break 22-12 to the good.

Leeds endured the worst possible start to the second half as Noah Booth raced over on the right edge, barely challenged by the Rhinos’ defence. The conversion was added, extending Hull’s lead to 28-12.

Rather than retreat into their shell, Leeds responded brilliantly. Quick hands through the middle created space on the left edge for Callum Webster to score in the corner, though Lloyd was unable to convert from the touchline, leaving the score at 28-16.

Midway through the second half, Leeds scored again when winger Riley Lumb out-jumped the Hull defence to claim a Harry Smith bomb and dive over for the try. High winds hampered Lloyd’s conversion attempt, but the score now read 28-20.

With just over ten minutes remaining, Leeds struck again. Another Harry Smith bomb caused problems for the Hull defence, with Jacob Hardy winning the aerial battle and offloading to hooker Harvey Butterworth. Wrapped up by defenders, Butterworth returned the ball to Hardy, who touched down. Lloyd’s straightforward conversion brought Leeds to within two points, 28-26.

That proved as close as Leeds would get. With the clock winding down and Hull camped in Leeds territory, half-back Ryan Hampshire sent forward Jai Whitbread over from close range, and Charles converted to make it 34-26, putting the game out of reach. Errors from both sides in the closing minutes failed to produce any further scores, and Hull KR held on for a hard-fought victory.

Hull Kingston Rovers

Leeds Rhinos Reserves