Narrow Win for Leeds Rhinos over Resurgent Hull FC
On a tense night at the MKM Stadium, the Leeds Rhinos narrowly escaped with an 18-12 victory over a resurgent Hull FC side, adding more pressure on Rhinos’ head coach Rohan Smith despite the two Super League points.
Facing a coachless Hull FC squad bolstered by debutants Ed Chamberlain and Yusuf Aydin, as well as the brilliant young talent of Jack Charles, Leeds were forced to hand a debut to their own teenage sensation, Riley Lumb, due to injuries in the backline. Lumb proved to be one of the few bright spots for the Rhinos, scoring a first-half brace and earning the Man of the Match award with his impressive ball-handling and solid defense.
“While Hull FC struck first through Morgan Smith, the visitors hit back quickly with Lumb’s maiden tries for the club. The home side entered the break just 12-6 down, a marked improvement from their heavy defeat against St Helens.”
In the second half, Cameron Smith extended Leeds’ lead, but Hull FC refused to go down without a fight, with Lewis Martin’s late try setting up a tense finish.
Missed opportunities from Brodie Croft and Matt Frawley ultimately proved costly for the Rhinos, as they struggled to put the game to bed. Despite the nervy finish, Leeds managed to hang on for the win, keeping them within two points of the Super League playoff spots.
Concerns and Positives
While the result will be a relief for Rhinos fans, the performance will be a concern, with Rohan Smith’s side completing just 10 of their 19 sets in the opening forty minutes. However, Hull FC can take great positives from the game, showcasing the early building blocks of Simon Grix’s interim coaching tenure.
The Rhinos’ victory may have lacked the clinical efficiency expected from a title-challenging side, but they will be eager to build on this result and regain their momentum in the race for the playoffs. As for Hull FC, this spirited display suggests a bright future lies ahead, despite their current league position.
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