Leeds Rhinos fight back boosts playoff hopes

Leeds Rhinos boosted their chances of making the playoffs on Thursday night. A second-half fightback saw the Rhinos leave victorious.

After an abject performance against Huddersfield Giants, Hull FC coach Brett Hodgson was hoping for a much-improved showing in front of a first unrestricted crowd in 16 months. But his hopes were ended with three successive second-half tries for the Rhinos.

Despite Hull dominating the early exchanges, they were left with nothing to show for their dominance. It was the visitors who opened the scoring on 15 minutes through the boot of Rhyse Martin.

Hull eventually got their just rewards 10 minutes later, as some quick improvisation from Josh Reynolds found Adam Swift. The winger who is in fine form scored his 10th Super League try of the season. Martin then converted his second penalty of the game, before Marc Sneyd converted a penalty of his own just before the break to make it 6-4 heading into Half time.

Leeds thought they’d regained the lead on 58 minutes as Mikołaj Olędzki saw his effort denied by the Video Referee. But just moments later Brad Dwyer went over after a burst from dummy-half.  Just six minutes later, it was the turn of Richie Myler who brilliantly found a gap in the FC defence to score underneath the sticks.

Hull’s misery was then compounded with 10 minutes to go as Cameron Smith found another gap in the defence to score from close range. Moments later, both sides were reduced to 12 men as Reynolds and Myler were sin-binned after an altercation.

The hosts did find some consolation through a superb individual effort from Carlos Tuimavave. Marc Sneyd added the two making the final score 12-22.

Rhinos Head Coach Richard Agar described his team’s performances as “A game of two halves from us.”

“In the first half, we didn’t play controlled enough and made too many mistakes”

“We needed to flip that around, and we talked about getting in the grind. We were confident in a tight game we’d find enough opportunities to score. We thought we’d have to find other ways to get over the line and the injection of Brad Dwyer really helped us do that. “

Brett Hodgson believes his side have to “Be stronger to get through those periods but it’s fine margins in this game and we’re not far away.”

“We were good in parts but we need to learn from those periods – when it gets tough be more resilient and defend our try-line.”

Leeds now face Warrington at Emerald Headingley on Sunday off the back of three successive victories, whilst Hull FC host St Helens on Monday needing a response after back-to-back defeats.

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