The last time that tonight’s visitors to Headingley won a game was on their last visit on the 24th February when Hull FC recorded a 22-18 victory over the Leeds Rhinos before they went on a six game losing streak.
The Rhinos rode their luck last time out and secured a narrow win over the Huddersfield Giants thanks to a second half fightback which saw them pick up their fourth win of the campaign and elevate themselves to seventh spot in the table.
The bookies had the Rhinos as strong favourites for the win giving the visitors a sixteen-point start on the handicap coupon.
It was an error strewn opening from both sides in wet conditions but neither side could capitalise.
On seventeen the Rhinos came the closest to open the scoring when Rhyse Martin chased an Aidan Sezer kick through but he was unable to ground with the line begging as he knocked on in a group of chasers.
There were twenty-three minutes on the clock when Blake Austin came close to scoring but under the tackle he flicked a pass outside to James McDonnell to score in the corner. Martin added the conversion from the far right touchline for a 6-0 lead for the Rhinos.
A moment of brilliance from Nene MacDonald, breaking the line and streaking down the touchline before putting in a great kick to the middle of the field which was collected by Ash Handley to canter in and score by the sticks. Martin was on target with the extras and the Rhinos were twelve points to the good.
It was eighteen points in a heartbeat as Holroyd streaked down the middle of the field after taking a short pass from Cameron Smith and running forty metres to take the FC full-back with him over the line to ground. Martin made it three from three and the Rhinos were totally in charge.
In the dying moments of the half Martin chased down another kick and again knocked on, the Rhinos could have been far further ahead, FC had nothing to offer.
Handley hit a gap on forty-nine, threw a dummy, and dropped the shoulder to go in for his second of the night, improving the angle for Martin. The Rhinos kicker added the extra points for a 24-0 lead.
FC opened their account on fifty-four when cross field kick when Darnell McIntosh claimed the ball to ground. Ben McNamara was unable to add the conversion from wide.
It was brief respite for FC as the Rhinos went in again on sixty-two with Mikolaj Oledzki spinning out of the tackle to ground after a great run from Sam Lisone. Martin added the conversion for 30-4.
FC got their second of the night on sixty-five as Davy Litten took fill advantage after the Rhinos were penalised on their own line. McNamara added the goal to bring up double figures for the visitors.
A scoot from dummy half by Martin saw the Rhinos sixth try of the night but he hit the upright with his conversion attempt as the Rhinos secured a 34-10 win.
A second consecutive home win takes the Rhinos into the top half of the table as they go past St Helens and into sixth spot, the champions having lost at Hull KR. Hull FC have a further worsened points difference and with a seventh consecutive loss look in all sorts of trouble at the bottom, and breathing a sigh of relief that Wakefield Trinity are having an atrocious season. It was good Leeds who turned up, but they still made plenty of errors, despite the decent margin win.
Leeds Rhinos: Myler, MacDonald, Newman, Martin (T, 5G), Handley (2T), Austin, Sezer, Oledzki (T), O´Connor. Lisone, McDonnell (T), Tetevano, Smith. Subs: Johnson, Sangare, Holroyd (T), Tindall. 18th Man: Donaldson.
Hull FC: Litten (T), Swift, Sutcliffe, Tuimavave, McIntosh (T), Lovodua, McNamara (G), Fash, Houghton, Sao, Griffin, Lane, Cator. Subs: Brown, Dwyer, Gardiner, Satae. 18th Man: Scott.
Half-Time: 18-0.
Full-Time: 34-10.
Score Progression: 4-0, 6-0, 10-0, 12-0, 16-0, 18-0 : HT : 22-0, 24-0, 24-4, 28-4, 30-4, 30-8, 30-10, 34-10 : FT.
Lead Exchanges: Leeds.
Referee: Jack Smith.
