Leeds Rhinos lost out to Hull FC in a disappointing 18-10 result at the MKM Stadium in Round 15 of the Betfred Super League; Ash Handley and Harry Newman scored the tries for the visitors deep in the second half.

Two changes to the Rhinos team saw David Fusitu’a and Tom Holroyd return into Rohan Smith’s side after their injury layoffs. Fusitu’a, who scored tries in his previous two meetings against Hull in 2022 and 2023, replaced Alfie Edgell on the wing as the only change to Leeds’ starting 13, whilst Holroyd was named onto the bench.

In the lead up to kick off, both clubs paid tribute to Leeds legend Rob Burrow CBE in the wake of his passing two weeks ago, as Leeds captain Cameron Smith and former Rhinos player Liam Sutcliffe, who was coached by Rob during his junior days, laid wreaths on the MKM turf.

The home side jumped straight into the attack in the opening stages of the game as a 40/20 from Ben Reynolds camped Hull on the Leeds try line. Jordan Lane looked to break the try line for the opening score but as Liam Moore sent the decision up for further review, Lane clearly lost the ball.

Leeds had the best chances of the half starting with Harry Newman trying a dab kick in behind the black and whites defence for Ash Handley, who looked to be taken out by a Hull defender chasing the kick down, before the Leeds winger tried to chase his own kick on the next attacking set, but Logan Moy was up to the task as he dispersed the Leeds attack. Brodie Croft also orchestrated what he thought was a try, but the video referee judged that the half back’s high kick on the last for Fusitu’a came forward into a Hull man before reach Croft, so another try was chalked off as the score remained 0-0 after 15 minutes.

The chances for points kept coming as Hull’s Lewis Martin was the latest player to have a try denied; Lane being called out of play as the forward attempted to keep the ball alive. Shortly after, a knock on by Leeds skipper Smith gave the Rhinos some more defending to do, but Hull proved their own worst enemy as Herman Ese’ese ran into Yusuf Aydin, obstructing the Leeds defence.

Heading into the final ten minutes still with no score for either side, the black and whites turned the tide of the half in the final moments, Martin going over in the corner off a ball over the top from Trueman. Hull substitute Denive Balmforth followed it up with a try of his own as the young hooker forced his way over from dummy half to make the score 12-0 at the break with Reynolds’ conversions.

Dissent against Paul Momirovski at the start of the second half led to Cameron Scott getting over for the black and whites; the forward taking an offload from Carlos Tuimavave to hit a hole and score to take the score to 18-0.

Much like in the first half though, Leeds had scoring opportunities, only this time Ash Handley managed to get points in the board for the visitors. Tiaki Chan’s introduction to the action saw the forward lose the wet ball as the rain continued, and the Rhinos were decisive as Frawley and Croft combined before Croft’s stabbed kick ahead bounced kindly for Handley to plant down. 

Both sides were feeling the pressure as the game pressed on and as the rain cleared, conditions became more favourable for expansive rugby. Hull could have closed the game out as Trueman kicked the home side’s second 40/20 of the game, but Ese’ese and Brad Fash were both held up over the line. Balmforth came close too before a kick from Trueman caught James McDonnell offside, but nothing came of it as the Rhinos survived.

Leeds had the clock and scoreboard against them as the game approached its final stages, but the away side refused to give in. Oledzki’s inspired break led to Miller feeding Croft for what looked to be a certain try, but the half back was held up within inches of the line. Additionally, Tom Briscoe forced a knock on, seeing the former Leeds man go to the sin bin for the reminder of the game, but a knock on from Lisone on the next play agonisingly ended a huge chance.

Justin Sangare came on from the bench to make a similar half break too as the French international laid the foundations for a try for Harry Newman, who returned from a HIA check. Shifting the ball to the edge, a great offload from Handley got a lucky touch off Tuimavave and into the hands of Newman to finish with an aerial effort. 

Martin got the conversion to make the score 18-10 and set up a tight last five minutes, but a break by Handley ended with a knock on by Oledzki, which gave Hull the two league points.

Next Up

The Rhinos return to AMT Headingley next Friday night for the club’s annual MND Awareness game against Leigh Leopards, where the club will pay tribute to the life and career of Rob Burrow CBE.

Match Facts

Hull FC

37. Logan Moy, 44. Tom Briscoe, 3. Carlos Tuimavave, 4. Liam Sutcliffe, 26. Lewis Martin, 6. Jake Trueman, 47. Ben Reynolds, 8. Herman Ese’ese, 19. Morgan Smith, 12. Ligi Sao, 15. Jordan Lane, 17. Cameron Scott, 13. Brad Fash

Subs: 16. Jack Ashworth, 45. Yusuf Aydin, 28. Denive Balmforth, 46. Tiaki Chan (18^th Man – 23. Davy Litten)

Tries: Lewis (37), Balmforth (40), Scott (47)

Goals: Reynolds 3/3

Sin bin: Tom Briscoe (73) - Professional Foul.

Rhinos

1. Lachie Miller, 2. David Fusitu’a, 4. Paul Momirovski, 3. Harry Newman, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 18. Mickael Goudemand, 16. James McDonnell, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith

Subs: 10. Tom Holroyd, 15. Sam Lisone, 26. Corey Johnson, 17. Justin Sangare (18^th Man – 29. Alfie Edgell)

Tries: Handley (58), Newman (77)

Goals: Martin 1/2