 Leeds celebrate Ryan Bailey's try against Hull |
Leeds: (6) 18
Tries: Smith, Sinfield, Bailey
Goals: Sinfield (3)
Hull: (0) 4
Try: Sing
Leeds maintained their unbeaten start to the Super League season with a battling win over Hull at Headingley.
In damp conditions the match was a poor spectacle, with the Rhinos edging the first half thanks to a Lee Smith try.
Kevin Sinfield went over early in the second half and then kicked the extras for a 12-0 lead before a Matt Sing try brought Hull back into the match.
But Ryan Bailey eased any Leeds' nerves by powering over 12 minutes from time and Sinfield duly converted.
 | We spent some time on our defence this week and I'm proud of their efforts |
Last year's Grand Finalists Hull were without four regulars and new signing Willie Manu because of injury and illness, and they looked short of penetration on a quagmire of a pitch.
Leeds made the breakthrough on 17 minutes when Smith squeezed over at the corner, although he looked to have benefited from a couple of forward passes.
The try stood, however, and Sinfield sent over the conversion from out wide to give the home side a 6-0 lead at the break.
Early in the second half, good work from Ali Lauitiiti and Brent Webb put in Sinfield for his first Super League try in 12 months and he again added the extra two points.
Hull struck back on 56 minutes when Sing chased down a Thomas Lee kick and managed to get his fingers to the ball despite initially over-running it.
But Tickle was unable to add the conversion that might have applied some real pressure, and prop forward Bailey made the game safe for the Rhinos on 68 minutes.
Leeds coach Tony Smith:
"It was a tough old game and I thought they handled the conditions well. "I thought our defence was absolutely outstanding to let in one try from a kick that on any other day would have hit the fence.
"We turned it around from last week, when we were soft in a few areas. We spent some time on our defence this week and I'm proud of their efforts."
Hull coach Peter Sharp:
"Maybe we've all been believing the publicity. Last year doesn't carry any weight with anybody this year. "We need to start doing the business to get our credibility back. It's entirely in our hands.
"Injuries are no excuse. We've spoken about how strong our squad is. We should be able to cover for these guys."
Leeds (18-man): Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Thackray, Bailey, Kirke, Tansey.
Hull (18-man): Lee, Washbrook, Tickle, G. Horne, Wheeldon, Godwin, Whiting, Yeaman, R. Horne, Briscoe, Dowes, Tony, Raynor, McMenemy, Maiava, Sing, Swain, Carvell.
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