Leeds Rhinos kicked off the new season in impressive fashion as they defeated Hull FC at Headingley Carnegie thanks to a masterful display from skipper Kevin Sinfield.

Hull were due to be led out by their new star signing Gareth Ellis, who returned to his former home ground to make his return to Super League after four incredible seasons in the NRL but an injury in the warm up forced him out of the match. 

Despite the set back of losing Ellis, Hull started the game in bright fashion and dominated the first ten minutes in terms of territory. Leeds were guilty of a couple of loose passes and referee Steve Ganson was patrolling a strict ‘no messing’ zone at the ruck area that saw Leeds penalised on three occasions. However, the Rhinos produced some intense defence and forced the visitors into errors that meant they never really threatened the Leeds line.

The Rhinos got into their stride after that and took control of the game. Joel Moon showed why Leeds had signed him from Salford with a number of half breaks which created danger because of the options of Ryan Hall and Carl Ablett either side of him. With and without the ball, Leeds were putting Hull under pressure and eventually that pressure produced the first try of the game.

Danny McGuire had produced a number of dangerous kicks and his next effort towards the posts caught Brett Seymour and Ben Galea in two minds and as they debated who should go for the ball, Kevin Sinfield stuck in a toe and dribbled the ball over the line to touch it down. He added the conversion to make it 6-0.

Leeds could have had further scores with McGuire showing he is ready for a big year in 2013 with a number of tantalising
breaks however they could not make the most of the chances. The flow of the game took a turn when the Rhinos lost Joe Vickery to an ankle injury. The winger limped off and that forced Ablett to switch sides and propelled Watkins onto the wing. The threat that had come down the left was nullified and Hull managed to get a foothold in the game.

The visitors struck just before half time when Joe Westerman managed to get his hands free in the tackle and bounced a pass off the ground into the arms of Joe Arundel to score in the corner. Daniel Holdsworth added a good conversion from the South Stand touchline to level the game at half time.

The Rhinos had to produce some strong defence at the start of the second half, particular Zak Hardaker with a last ditch try saver but once the Champions hit the front you never sensed they would let their foot off the gas.

They did just that after 57 minutes when Moon capped his debut with a try by showing great strength to get out of the tackle and force his way over. Three minutes later Jamie Peacock proved too strong for the Hull defence as he powered through a gap and stretched out to score. Sinfield converted both to make it 18-6 on the hour.

Leeds now pressed home their advantage with McGuire creating the next try and scoring his side’s fifth effort. A wonderful cut out pass from the half back released Chris Clarkson for a try and then McGuire linked up with Paul McShane and Sinfield to create a half gap that he powered through to score. Sinfield kept up his 100% night with the boot.

There was still time for a late try from Ryan Hall as he took a pass from man of the match Kevin Sinfield and just managed to pip Jason Crookes to the line to touch down. Sinfield completed the scoring to make the final score 36-6 to the Champions.