Hull FC went down to a humiliating defeat in West Yorkshire as they had no answer to a red hot Leeds team.
Alfie Edgell was the pick of the bunch for the Rhinos, crossing for four tries, with Hull’s consolation coming through Harvey Barron.
Team News
Simon Grix made four changes to the side that lined-up against Castleford Tigers last weekend, with Jack Walker, Jed Cartwright, Zach Jebson and Brad Fash all coming into the side.
The trio replace Danny Houghton (calf), Morgan Smith (personal reasons), Will Gardiner, and Leon Ruan who was ineligible against his parent club.
Hull remain without Liam Sutcliffe (foot), Jake Trueman (calf), Davy Litten (knee) Nick Staveley (knee), Charlie Severs (shoulder), Ed Chamberlain (shoulder), King Vuniyayawa (ankle), and Will Kirby, as well as Leon Ruan who is not available against his parent club.
Brad Arthur made just one change to his 17 that beat London Broncos in Golden Point last weekend at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, with Mikolaj Oledzki returning from injury to take the place of Thomas Nicholson-Watton in the matchday squad.
Sam Lisone dropped to the Interchange bench as Oledzki started the match in the front row.
The Match
Leeds had the first real chance of the game, after pinning Harvey Barron in the corner and forcing an error from the young winger. Hull defended three consecutive sets on their own line, before a lazy tackle from Sam Eseh caught Brodie Croft high, and the Rhinos kicked the first points of the evening through the boot of Rhyse Martin.
From the kick off set, Leeds got the first try of the night. Kicking high into the corner the ball was allowed to bounce, and the ball was kept alive before finding its’ way into the hands of Brodie Croft, who kicked across field to give a stroll in for Harry Newman. Martin’s conversion from the touchline extended Rhinos’ lead to 8.
Hull enjoyed their first spell of possession in the Leeds half shortly afterwards, as a strong challenge from Jed Cartwright forced an error by Andy Ackers, but the chance came to nothing as Sam Eseh came up with an error when camped on the Rhinos line.
Leeds scored again just over half way through the half, as Brodie Croft created a gap outside the ruck for Mikolaj Oledzki to break through the Hull line, tipping the ball on to Cam Smith to score under the posts.
After an error in Hull’s backfield, Leeds took advantage on the first play, as Alfie Edgell squeezed over in the corner under pressure from Logan Moy.
Things went from bad to worse for Hull as Jed Cartwright was sent to the sin bin for a late tackle on Brodie Croft in the build up to the try.
After Jack Walker kicked too long for a seven tackle set and Lewis Martin came up with an error, Leeds scored again. With Moy and Barron caught in the ruck on the last tackle James Bentley was able to scoot over from dummy half and extend the Rhinos lead, with Martin adding his fifth goal of the evening.
Leeds rounded off the half with another try, Hull’s defence working too hard to cover the open side, forgetting about the short side on the last tackle, Andy Ackers switching the point of attack back to where it came from, and Brodie Croft jinking over from 20 meters out, Martin maintaining his 100% record from the tee.
Half Time: Leeds Rhinos 32 – 0 Hull FC
The second half began following much the same pattern as the first.
Hull made an error with their first touch of the ball of the half, and from the scrum Edgell was over in the corner.
The game spilled over 10 minutes into the half, as Hull lost control of their discipline. A scuffle broke out in midfield between Jack Ashworth, and on the next play Ashworth shoulder charged the Samoan resulting in another lengthy scuffle. Rhyse Martin was the calmest man on the pitch as he kicked a penalty goal to bring up 40 for the hosts.
On the third play from the kick-off, Leeds broke up field, Barron and Martin chased back to catch Miller, but Leeds showed the composure to score in the corner on the next play through Alfie Edgell to bring up his hat-trick.
From the kick-off, Hull got on the board.
Jack Ashworth climbing highest to claim the restart, and Jordan Lane came up with a smart kick for Harvey Barron to spin out of a tackle and score.
The game had turned into something of a basketball match, Alfie Edgell scoring his third in 10 minutes, again diving over in the corner after Leeds moved the ball wide. Martin kicked his 10th goal of the evening from the touchline.
Martin kicked another penalty goal as Hull’s discipline continue to let them down, his 11th of the evening.
Leeds scored again before the hour mark, Andy Ackers, who broke the line at will all night, again burst through and had Matt Frawley then Brodie Croft supporting, and Croft was over for his second of the night.
Hull crossed the line from the next set as the action continued, but Leeds did incredibly well to get bodies round Jed Cartwright to prevent the former Newcastle Knight from grounding the ball.
The scoring calmed down in the final quarter – Leeds went close on a couple more occasions in the ensuing exchanges, but Hull’s defence did just enough to stop them getting over and extending their lead.
The Rhinos did add another penalty goal though with three minutes on the clock, Rhyse Martin kicking his thirteenth goal of the night.
Jed Cartwright was sent to the sin bin for the second time of the night, stopping Leeds playing the ball after making a lengthy break.
The Rhinos rounded off the scoring with the final play of the game, James Bentley crashing over from close range with the final play of the game.
Full Time: Leeds Rhinos 68 – 6 Hull FC
Team News
Leeds Rhinos: Lachlan Miller, David Fustiu’a, Paul Momirovski, Harry Newman, Alfie Edgell, Matt Frawley, Brodie Croft, Mikolaj Oledzki, Andy Ackers, Justin Sangare, James McDonnell, Rhyse Martin, Cameron Smith; James Bentley, James Donaldson, Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Lisone
Hull FC: Logan Moy, Harvey Barron, Carlos Tuimavave, Tom Briscoe, Lewis Martin, Jack Walker, Jack Charles, Herman Ese’ese, Jordan Lane, Sam Eseh, Ligi Sao, Jed Cartwright, Yusuf Aydin; Brad Fash, Denive Balmforth, Jack Ashworth, Zach Jebson
The Scorers:
Leeds Rhinos Tries: Harry Newman (12), Cameron Smith (24), Alfie Edgell (27, 43, 51, 56), James Bentley (35, 78), Brodie Croft (39, 58)
Leeds Rhinos Goals: Rhyse Martin (13/13), James Donaldson (1/1)
Hull FC Tries: Harvey Barron (55)
Hull FC Goals: Jack Charles (1/1)
Attendance, in association with Garbutts: 14105
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