Leeds Rhinos recovered from a poor first half to post a hard-won 38-22 win over Hull FC at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium.

The Rhinos were 18-0 down after 25 minutes, 18-4 down at the half-time interval, but hit back after the restart to claim an impressive comeback victory.

Hull, who could play Leeds again in the Carnegie Challenge Cup final, looked certain to claim the two points in the first half but fell apart in the second.

Willie Manu opened the scoring for Hull after just nine minutes and Graeme Horne touched down to extended that lead soon after, Danny Tickle converting both tries.

The Rhinos could not get themselves back into the game and the visitors added a third through Tickle, the Hull man converting his own try to make the score 18-0.

But Leeds did get onto the scoresheet, Keith Senior crossing to ensure the home side had reduced the deficit and got onto the scoresheet before the half-time interval.

A Tickle penalty goal opened the second-half scoring and furthered Hull’s lead but Rob Burrow went over for the home side to leave the score at 20-8.

The Rhinos quickly drew level: first Scott Donald went over quickly followed by Gareth Ellis, Kevin Sinfield adding his first two goals to the total.

Another Tickle penalty edged the visitors back into the lead, but Leeds went ahead for the first time thanks to a second try from Donald, Sinfield’s goal making the score 26-22.

Ellis touched down to further the Rhinos’ lead, Sinfield converting, and a short kick off from Hill resulted in a second Burrow try, Sinfield’s goal concluding an impressive Leeds comeback.


Leeds – 38

T: Senior (35); Burrow (48, 73); Donald (51, 64); Ellis (56, 71)
G: Sinfield (52, 57, 65, 72, 74)

Hull – 22

T: Manu (9); Horne (18); Tickle (22)
G: Tickle (10, 19, 23, 47, 61)

HT: 4-18

Ref: B Thaler

Att: 16,886