Leeds Rhinos Reserves 66 Hull FC Reserves 4

By Sam Brocksom

Leeds Rhinos Reserves sailed through to the semi-finals of the competition after a convincing 66-4 victory over Hull FC.

Chev Walker's side bounced back from their 28-14 defeat to Wakefield Trinity in some style, scoring eight first-half tries to give a 44-0 lead, before another four in the second-half to see out the win.

Changes were made from last week's squad, Oscar Brown returned to play his first game since April, whilst Finley Yates and Charlie Glover joined from Championship side Salford RLFC on dual registration. It was an evening to remember for Siddal RLFC forward Josh Milnes, who was another player called up to the club.

Brown's return started off incredibly well, as he scored the opening try before laying a pass off to half-back Harry Smith, allowing him to cross for the second. Harley Thomas added the latter conversions, making for a 10-0 lead after 12 minutes.

Hooker Elliot Fox scored next, combining with Smith well to score under the sticks. Brown would be influential in the Rhinos' fourth score, with his break allowing Callum Webster to get over in the left corner via another Smith assist. Thomas' one conversion doubled the Rhinos' lead after 20 minutes.

In the very next set, an offload from first-teamer Jeremiah Mata'utia sent Dylan Hutchinson in, before Leeds found their way over for a sixth time through the half-back again, who scored two tries in as many minutes to make for a 32-0 lead.

Jacob Stead, who recently signed a first-team contract at the club, crossed thanks to a short all through Smith, who racked up assist number three of the first half, but it would be that point that Brown's afternoon came to an end, as the club look to manage his return from injury.

Fox's second rounded out the first half scoring. An offload from Riley Lumb saw the number nine over for another four-pointer, with Thomas' accurate kick making for a 44-0 advantage at the break.

Despite the Rhinos' utter dominance, it was Hull who scored first through Lennon Clark, who made his Super League debut earlier this year. He proved too strong for Leeds' right-edge defence, and made sure his side wouldn't go home with a zero against their name.

It took well over 20 minutes, but Leeds managed to extend their scoring in the second half, with Mata'utia proving too big and too strong for the FC defence to handle. Thomas' two gave the Rhinos the half-century with around 15 minutes left on the clock. Winger Webster's second try came minutes after, as the home side returned to their try-scoring form of the first half.

Fresh off playing 80 minutes for the academy last night, Wade White was next to get in on the try-scoring action. He combined well with hooker Fox, who broke the line to allow for a score under the sticks, increasing the lead to 60-4.

The final try came from a piece of individual brilliance by Mata'utia, who showed incredible speed and strength, taking the ball 30 out, beating multiple players before breaking through three would-be tacklers to score. Thomas added the extras to round out the victory.

The Rhinos will find out who they play in the reserves semi-final after this weekend's fixtures have been completed.

Rhinos: Thomas, Webster, Brown, Qareqare, Lumb, Hutchinson, Smith, Butterfield, Fox, Mata'utia, Smart, Stead, Nicholson-Watton
Bench: Yates, Glover, Milnes, White

Tries: Fox x2, Webster x2, Hutchinson x2, Mata'utia x2, Brown Stead, Smith, White
Goals: Thomas 10/12