MATCH REPORT | Leeds Rhinos 24-26 Hull FC
Leeds’ struggles continue following FC win at Headingley.
MATCH DETAILS
The Rhinos are now joint bottom of Super League alongside London and Hull KR. The three sides are all on 16 points, with just points difference keeping the Rhinos safe at this point.
Sika Manu scored early on after a rare mistake from Konrad Hurrell to give Hull the lead, which was quickly doubled through a Bureta Faraimo try. Despite a reply from Hurrell, Jamie Shaul crossed the line to give Hull a 20-6 lead.
From there, A fantastic Ash Handley try saw the winger go 90 meters to the Hull line, which was book-ended by tries from Tom Briscoe. However Hull managed to weather the comeback thanks to a late Ratu Naulago try and Marc Sneyd conversion.
Victory moved Hull FC four points clear of fourth placed Wigan, breathing down the neck of Warrington, who they face in the Challenge Cup semi-final this weekend.
FOUR POINTERS
Relegation battle hotting up
A Leeds defeat and a surprise London victory has added another layer to an already unpredictable final run in for the five clubs at the bottom. London’s victory over table topping St Helens has given their survival hopes a huge boost, and has left Leeds and KR with no margin for error. Wakefield and Huddersfield are only two points clear of the bottom and could easily be sucked into the battle at the bottom.
Sneyd reaches milestone
Sunday’s game saw Scrum half Marc Sneyd reach 1,500 career points. This is a huge milestone for one of Super League’s most consistent players.
Early form letting Leeds down again
Coach Richard Agar was quick to show his frustration at the way Leeds began the game. A stronger start could have seen them getting something from the game. They cannot afford to be slow off the mark again.
Race at the top exciting as the bottom
While St helens already have one hand on the league leader’s shield, the battle for a play-off place is sure to go down to the wire. Hull sit in third with 28 points, while Catalans, Castleford and Wigan each have 24 points. Just like at the bottom of the table, this will surely be thrilling until the final day of the season.
THE RESULT
Leeds Rhinos 24
Tries: Hurrell, Briscoe (2), Handley
Goals: Martin (4)
Drop Goals: n/a
Hull FC 26
Tries: Manu, Faraimo, Shaul, Naulago
Goals: Sneyd (5)
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Leeds Rhinos: Walker, Handley, Hurrell, Newman, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Lui, Seumanufagai, Lunt, Singleton, Smith, Martin, Merrin
Interchanges: Dwyer, Ferres, Cuthbertson, Peteru
Hull FC: Shaul, Naulago, Tuimavave, Griffin, Faraimo, Connor, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Paea, Manu, Minichiello, Westerman
Interchanges: Bowden, Ellis, Fash, Lane
