 | MATCH SUMMARY Hull (20) 26
Tries: Raynor 2, Yeaman, Domic
Goals: Cooke Leeds (12) 34
Tries: McGuire 2, Poching, Walker, Millard, Lauitiiti
Goals: Sinfield, Burrow 3 |
Hull were much-improved under caretaker coach Richard Agar but in the end Leeds had too much class at the KC Stadium. Hull led 20-12 at the break after tries from Gareth Raynor (2), Kirk Yeaman and Sid Domic, with Danny McGuire crossing twice for Leeds.
Willie Poching and Chev Walker went over for Leeds after the break, either side of Richard Horne's try for Hull, and the gap was down to two points.
Shane Millard then put Leeds ahead and Ali Lauitiiti's try wrapped things up.
Hull, who saw coach John Kear leave during the week, took an early lead when Raynor crossed in the corner after three minutes and Paul Cooke converted.
McGuire soon hit back with a cracking effort for second-placed Leeds, with Kevin Sinfield converting.
Hull re-took the lead as Yeaman scored a fine individual try before Leeds suffered a blow as Sinfield was stretchered off with a serious-looking leg injury.
The hosts then increased their lead as Domic crossed before McGuire once again exploded into life to trim the gap, with Rob Burrow's conversion from the touchline making it 16-12.
Former Leeds winger Raynor completed his double just before the break to make it 20-12.
The second half saw the sides continue to play open rugby with Poching and Walker scoring for Leeds and Burrow converting both tries.
The Leeds tries came either side of Horne crossing for Hull, with Danny Brough converting, and Hull led 26-24 entering the final quarter.
However, Millard's converted try put Leeds into the lead and Lauitiiti powered over late on to make sure Leeds went home with the points.
Leeds coach Tony Smith:
"I thought it was a fantastic team effort, full of guts and determination right to the death. "They have a big heart and they had to dig deep in the face of some adversity. We lost three players in the first half and were down to one sub.
"I thought Hull were exceptional, as good as I've seen them play in the last 12 months."
Hull caretaker coach Richard Agar:
"We've tried to keep everybody as upbeat as possible but it's been a tough week to live through. "The effort was certainly there for all to see. What probably cost us was our start to the second half when we came up with a couple of unforced errors.
"It's important we build on it. It's no good if we don't back it up next week."
Hull: Tony, Dixon, Domic, Yeaman, Raynor, Cooke, R. Horne, Dowes, Swain, Carvell, Radford, Radford, Hill, Hill, Chester, Wheeldon, Thackray.
Replacements: Swain for Raynor (58), Wheeldon for Dowes (30), Brough for Swain (32), Thackray for Carvell (18), Whiting for Radford (28), Hill for Radford (62), Chester for Hill (52), Thackray for Hill (72), Radford for Chester (35), Carvell for Wheeldon (57), Dowes for Thackray (50).
Leeds: Mathers, Donald, Walker, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Peacock, Diskin, Feather, Poching, Ellis, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Bailey, Scruton.
Replacements: Millard for Smith (24), Feather for Peacock (48), Scruton for Diskin (39), Bailey for Feather (27), Lauitiiti for Poching (63), Lauitiiti for Sinfield (18), Peacock for Lauitiiti (57), Scruton for Bailey (77), Poching for Scruton (69).
Att: 10,958
Ref: K Kirkpatrick (Warrington).
MMIX
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