Match Report: Hull FC 18-10 Leeds Rhinos

The Black & White fought back for their first win since March with a dominant display against the Rhinos in their Hull&Proud Week Big Day Out match, beating Leeds 18-10 at the MKM Stadium.

Tries from Lewis Martin, Denive Balmforth and Cam Scott saw Simon Grix’s side in control for long periods, two late tries in a rain-soaked and error-strewn first half saw FC in a commanding position in break.

Scott’s third for FC after the restart strengthens FC’s position in the competition, ending their painful defeat.

Team news

Simon Grix made three changes to the team that visited Huddersfield two weeks ago.

Carlos Tuimavave recovered from injury to start in the centre, while Denive Balmforth made the line-up following his loan spell at Swinton.

Lewis Martin also entered the starting line-up.

Both Harvey Barron and Danny Houghton dropped out of the side, while Davy Litten dropped to 18.^th Man.

Match

Hull FC had an early attacking opportunity after a great 40/20 from Ben Reynolds. Ese’ese was blocked in the first before Leeds were penalized for an illegal ball steal and FC thought they had made it count, but the video referee ruled out the try. Hull’s bright start continued with Moy reacting quickest to a Croft strike to end the Rhinos’ first attack.

The visitors then looked to pile on the pressure, throwing in the last until Croft tried a chip and chased, but Moy beat him. Leeds then had a try of their own ruled out by the video referee for a tackle, bringing to an end a frantic opening ten minutes.

It was FC’s turn to attack further with Reynolds curling in a cross but Fusitu’a rose highest to claim it in goal.

An error from Grix saw the visitors have a set on the Hull line in the 20th minute. A shot from Frawley was hit by the black and whites but the Rhinos were penalized for offside, helping FC to turn defense into attack. Lewis Martin thought he had posted the first points of the game but his try was also ruled out after three sets on the Rhinos line.

Both teams made numerous errors in a difficult period of play in the next ten minutes. Neither side managed to take the lead in that period, but FC came closest through Morgan Smith.

Leeds were looking bright around the half-hour mark, Frawley’s strike forcing Hull to concede the drop. Sam Lisone’s forward pass ended this dangerous looking attack.

However, it was Hull who broke the deadlock. With four minutes left in the half, a beautiful cut ball found its way to Lewis Martin, who buried himself for the opening score. Reynolds added extras.

FC still had time before the break. Denive Balmforth dived over from idle to score his second of the game. Reynolds added extras.

Half time: Hull FC 12-0 Leeds Rhinos

Hull FC started the second half on the front foot, ending the opening set just five meters from the Leeds line. The next set was even more rewarding with the black and whites trying again. Carlos Tuimavave tried to walk just before passing back inside to Cam Scott, who grounded out. Reynolds added extras.

An offside call gave the visitors a great opportunity to hit straight back, but the ball came loose at the first tackle and FC got the ball back.

Leeds had another chance on the 55th^th minute to score the first points. Frawley’s shot bounced past everyone except Ash Handley who managed to slot the ball into the left corner. Rhyse Martin missed the conversion attempt.

The Rhinos tried to attack again down the left flank but Martin rose highest to claim the ball before Reynolds produced another brilliant 40/20 to put Hull out of danger. Cam Scott almost came in for his second of the afternoon but couldn’t get a fastball.

It was then Hull’s turn to apply the pressure, with Tuimavave and Briscoe held up briefly and unable to extend the home side’s lead.

With just under ten minutes to go, Tom Briscoe was shown a yellow card for a professional foul on his own try line. Leeds came close to scoring from the resulting penalty but lost control of the ball a few yards out.

The last major act of the game saw Leeds score a late try with Harry Newman taking a cut-back to score in the left-hand corner. Rhyse Martin added the extra.

With two minutes remaining, Newman broke the line from the left touchline once more and cut back inside before the ball was kicked into play, sealing victory for Hull FC.

Full time: Hull FC 18-10 Leeds Rhinos

TEAMS

Hull FC: Logan Moy, Tom Briscoe, Carlos Tuimavave, Liam Sutcliffe, Lewis Martin, Jake Trueman, Ben Reynolds, Herman Ese’ese, Morgan Smith, Ligi Sao, Jordan Lane, Cam Scott, Brad Fash.

Subs: Jack Ashworth, Denive Balmforth, Yusuf Aydin, Tiaki Chan.

18^th Man: Davy Litten.

Leeds Rhinos: Lachlan Miller, David Fusitu’a, Paul Momirovski, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Mickael Goudemand, James McDonnell, Rhyse Martin, Cam Smith.

Subs: Tom Holroyd, Sam Lisone, Justin Sangare, Corey Johnson.

18^th Man: Alfie Edgell.

bullets

Hull FC Tries: Martin (36), Balmforth (39), Scott (44)

Hull FC conversions: Reynolds (37, 40, 45)

Leeds Rhinos tries: Handley (55), Newman (76)

Leeds Rhinos conversions: Martin (77)

Attendance, sponsored by Garbutts: 12,166

Rowe Freight Man of the Match: Denive Balmforth