Hull 16-62 Leeds: Rhinos bounce back in spectacular fashion
Leeds Rhinos returned to winning ways in emphatic style, as they put 11 tries past Hull at the MKM Stadium.
Ash Handley grabbed five of those tries, Kruise Leeming also scored two with Mikolaj Oledzki, Richie Myler, Liam Sutcliffe and David Fusitu’a also completed the scoring.
Hull responded through tries by Darnell McIntosh, Danny Houghton and Chris Satae, but conceded seven unanswered tries in the second half.
There was four changes to the Hull side that was narrowly beaten at Warrington last week. Adam Swift, Luke Gale and Manu Ma’u drop out through injury, while Mitieli Vuikijapani missed out through suspension. Meanwhile, there was returns for Josh Griffin, Cameron Scott and Jordan Johnstone to the side, while Denive Balmforth came in off the bench.
The Rhinos made three changes to the side beaten at St Helens last week. Harry Newman, Bodene Thompson and Zane Tetevano miss out through suspension. Replacing them were Liam Sutcliffe, Cameron Smith and Morgan Gannon.
Match Report
Leeds managed to take the lead with six minutes on the clock. After the Rhinos forced a set restart close to the Hull line, Mikolaj Oledzki was able to barge over from close range to mark his 100th appearance for the club with a try. Rhyse Martin added the conversion to open up a six-point lead.
That soon became two tries inside the opening 10 minutes. Liam Sutcliffe managed to set Ash Handley away, and he was able to score out wide unopposed. Martin added the conversion to double Leeds’ advantage.
Hull needed to strike next, and they did six minutes later. Darnell McIntosh was able to intercept the ball, and race 95 metres to score. He couldn’t convert his own try.
The hosts soon made it back-to-back tries. Connor Wynne kicked the ball inside, and Danny Houghton was able to get to the ball and ground it in the in-goal to score. McIntosh added the conversion this time to reduce the gap to two points.
Leeds were then able to stretch their lead back out to six points just before the half-hour. Handley grabbed his second after finishing off a good move from the scrum. However, Martin could not convert this time.
It was soon two tries in a couple of minutes for Leeds. Richie Myler broke up the pitch, and got the ball to Kruise Leeming, who was able to score. Martin added the conversion this time.
The Black and Whites were then forced into a reshuffle before the break. Cameron Scott picked up an injury whilst trying to score a try, and went off not being able to put weight on his leg. Brad Fash came on to replace him.
HT- Hull 10-22 Leeds
Hull needed to strike first in the second half, and they did just before the 50-minute mark. Chris Satae was able to power over, after the Black and Whites kept the ball alive well. Josh Griffin took over kicking duties, and scored to bring the Black and Whites back within six points.
But that would not last long, as Leeds extended their lead again a few minutes later. Leeming grabbed his second after a run from dummy half and scored under the posts. Martin added the conversion to double Leeds’ advantage.
The Rhinos then made the game all-but-safe before the hour. This time it was Richie Myler who went over, after Leeds found the numbers on the left-hand side. Martin also added the conversion.
Leeds soon made it three tries inside seven minutes. Liam Sutcliffe managed to get through a gap, and grab the Rhinos’ seventh try. Martin maintained his good record with the boot.
The visitors were running riot, and scored a fourth try inside 10 minutes. David Fusitu’a beat Connor Wynne in the air and managed to get the ball down. Martin added another conversion.
Just before the 70-minute mark, Leeds grabbed their ninth try. They ran the ball down the short side, and Handley got over to complete his hat-trick. Martin kicked his eighth goal of the afternoon.
Leeds’ and Handley’s afternoon got even better a few minutes later. They worked the ball to Handley from the scrum, and he got over for his fourth try.
Handley was then able to complete a five-star performance by going over for his fifth try before the end. Martin got his personal tally up to 18 points to complete the scoring.
FT- Hull 16-62 Leeds
Both sides are back in action next week at Magic Weekend in Newcastle. Leeds take on Castleford in Saturday’s final game, before Hull take on Hull KR to wrap up the event at St James’ Park on Sunday.
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Team News
Hull: Shaul, McIntosh, Griffin, Scott, Wynne, Hookem, Lovodua, Evans, Houghton, Taylor, Lane, Sao, Johnstone. Subs: Balmforth, Brown, Fash, Satae.
Tries: McIntosh, Houghton, Satae
Goals:McIntosh 1/2, Griffin 1/1
Leeds: Myler, Fusitu’a, Hardaker, Sutcliffe, Handley, Austin, Sezer, Oledzki, Leeming, Prior, Bentley, Martin, Donaldson. Subs: Walters, Smith, Gannon, O’Connor.
Tries: Oledzki, Handley (5), Leeming (2), Myler, Sutcliffe, Fusitu’a
Goals: Martin 9/11
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