Hull FC edge out Leeds in Yorkshire derby thriller

Betfred Super League

Hull FC (14) 24

Tries: Arthur, Sao, Litten Goals: Hardaker 6

Leeds (16) 16

Hull FC edged out Leeds Rhinos in a pulsating Yorkshire derby to claim their second victory of the Super League season.

An outstanding first 40 minutes provided 30 points as both sides took it in turns to take the lead.

Tries from Jake Arthur, Ligi Sao and Davy Litten – as well as six kicks from Zak Hardaker – meant the Black and Whites took the two points.

After Jake Connor kicked Leeds in front after five minutes, a beautiful line break from Hull’s James Bell allowed him to unselfishly set up Arthur to dive underneath the sticks and score against the side his father coaches.

Leeds then kicked the restart out on the full, for which Hull moved into Rhinos territory, and elusive play from Amir Bourouh at dummy half allowed Ligi Sao to crash over from close range for his first Super League try in two years.

The Rhinos’ discipline let them down when dissent towards referee Liam Moore enabled a kick within range, and Hardaker added two more points as the visitors’ deficit increased to 12 points after just 17 minutes.

But Rhinos were back in the contest eight minutes later when an inch-perfect kick from Lachie Miller found McDonnell on the move to dot down in front of the visiting supporters.

A stunning diving catch from Miller then continued a flowing move as McDonnell looked to get a second try in a few minutes, but he was stopped on the line by good scrambling defence from Hull.

Another delicate kick – this time from Ash Handley – then found Croft in space to dot down next to the sticks, and by the time Connor had added the extras the score was level at 14-14.

Just 60 seconds after half-time, Leeds’ Maika Sivo was penalised for taking out the marker and Hardaker slotted over to level the match once more.

And Hull edged themselves back in front moments later when Hardaker kicked a fifth goal in front of the sticks.

The home side extended their lead when John Asiata’s gorgeous grubber kick was collected on the bounce by Litten to dot down and Hardaker’s sixth successful kick made it a two-score match.

Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur told BBC Radio Leeds:

“A bit of a reality-check isn’t it? Basically, we’re not as good as we think we are. Some of that ill-discipline is not what I want our club to be about and be part of.

“It was pretty embarrassing, some of the discipline in the second half. A lot of blokes just want to talk about the referee instead of doing their own job. Not good enough.

“It’s really disappointed me. We need to get to the bottom of it [the ill-discipline] and find that out on Tuesday [when the players return to training].

Hull FC: Hardaker; Briscoe, Romano, Litten, Martin; Cust, Arthur; Hill, Bourouh, Sao, Bell, Bailey, Asiata.

Interchanges: C Kemp, Fash, Laidlaw, Lisone.

Leeds: Miller; Sivo, Newman, Handley, Hankinson; Croft, Connor; Oledzki, Levi, Palasia, Watkins, McDonnell, C. Smith.

Interchanges: Holroyd, Jenkins, O’Connor, Bird.