Hull FC snap a losing run with huge confidence boosted victory over Leeds Rhinos

It’s been 11 games and 104 days but Hull FC have a Super League win, just their second of the season so far, and they thoroughly deserved it. Beating Leeds Rhinos 18-10 at the MKM Stadium, the Black and Whites waved goodbye to their defeats to defeat one of their biggest rivals in a performance full of effort, grit and determination.

Celebrating their Hull&Proud week for the past five days or so, Hull has been all about pride and there was plenty of it at the show. The three tries were enough to secure Simon Grix’s first win in caretaker charge of the club, but it was about much more than that.

Hull, who have improved in recent weeks, celebrated every little detail. They were assertive in the tackle, their line speed was on point and they were aggressive. They relished the crucial part of the game and when needed, mixed up the whole game and showed the kind of desperation needed to win.

They thoroughly deserved it in what was a very welcome return to their home ground, with a new look welcoming the team to HU3 midway through the season. As for Leeds, the autopsy will come. They are far from their best, but take nothing away from the Black and Whites, who have built up to this day and now have the two competition points they wanted.

Grix, who deserved credit for the way he handled a difficult situation, made three changes to Hull’s line-up. Carlos Tuimavave returned to the side for the first time in three months, with Lewis Martin returning on the wing and Denive Balmforth, who was excellent and added a spark to the side, taking a place on the bench in Danny Houghton’s absence. Morgan Smith started as a prostitute.

Hull started the game on the front foot. Ben Reynolds hit a 40/20 in the first set but Leeds held off the onslaught. The game then went to Saturday with both sides looking for promotion in what was sure to be a physical contest on a wet surface in West Hull.

The Rhinos had their chances but a stern and desperate Hull defense kept them at bay. They went well and settled, and after the introduction of Balmforth, who added an injection of pace, they got their reward.

After a spirited kick from the young hooker, the ball was laid down the left wing with a looping pass from Jake Trueman finding Lewis Martin who, fresh from his new two-year deal, finished strongly in the corner.

Reynolds landed the touchline conversion as Hull added another try before the break. Balmforth smelled blood near the Leeds line and the 20-year-old took full advantage of this, trying with power and intent to squeeze his way through.

That gave Hull a deserved 12-0 lead at half-time, with the hosts starting the second half with equal hunger. They got the reward, with Ashworth, through Balmforth, keeping the ball alive. Balmforth then played the ball down Hull’s right, with Cam Scott firing over the line after Tuimavave’s offload.

Leeds then broke their deadlock with Ash Handley touching down after Brodie Croft’s strike. However, Hull soon regrouped. They had chances to extend their lead but couldn’t take them.

The Rhinos scored again through Newman but it was little too late as Hull, buoyed by vocal support throughout the match, celebrated a first win in another three months.

TEAMS

Hull from XIII: 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; 12. Jordan Lane, 17. Cam Scott; 13. Brad Fash.

Subs: 16. Jack Ashworth, 45. Yusuf Aydin, 28. Denive Balmforth, 46. Tiaki Chan

18th man: 25. Davy Litten

Leeds Starting XIII: 1. Lachlan 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. Cam Smith

Subs: 10. Tom Holroyd, 15. Sam Lisone, 26. Corey Johnson, 17. Justin Sangare

18th man: 29. Alfie Edgell

bullets

Hull tries: Martin, Balmforth, Scott

Goals: Reynolds 3/3

Leeds Tries: Handley, Newman

Goals: Martin 1/2

Scoring system: 6-0, 12-0, HT, 18-0, 18-4, 18-10, FT

Referee: Liam Moore

Attendance: 12,166