Hull beat out-of-sorts Rhinos
Hull made their way into the top four for the first time this season with a classy display against Leeds as they powered into an 18-0 first-half lead before holding off a committed second-half effort from the Rhinos to win 18-6..
The Black and Whites moved up from sixth to fourth in the table to go a point above the Leeds, although the West Yorkshire outfit still have two games in hand. The visitors main worry will now be the fitness of two key players in Kallum Watkins and Danny McGuire, who left the field with injuries during Friday night's game.
Joe Westerman gave Hull an early lead after collecting a one-handed offload from Ben Crooks. Daniel Holdsworth then made it 8-0 with a penalty goal before Crooks finished off a spectacular 70-metre score started by Tom Lineham. Danny Houghton crossed from dummy-half just before the break to give FC an 18-point advantage, with Brett Delaney's second-half try for Leeds closing the gap, but Hull were able to hold on..
Hull started the game on fire as they took advantage of early Leeds errors to build a 12-0 lead inside the first twelve minutes of the game. First, FC shifted the ball on their first set for Shannon McDonnell to break and he passed inside for Crooks.
The youngster then enhanced his already growing reputation with a sublime one-handed offload in the tackle to supply Westerman for the converted try. When Jamie Jones-Buchanan was penalised for infringement, Holdsworth added a penalty goal for an eight-point home advantage.
Lineham then rose above England international winger Ryan Hall to collect Kevin Sinfield's high kick and race up field to provide the pass for Crooks to complete a brilliant 70 metre two-man effort. Kirk Yeaman missed out on a score before the Rhinos were dealt a huge blow when Watkins suffered a nasty looking ankle injury as he was brought down close to the line.
On the back of a great tackle by Lineham on Joe Vickery which forced a drop-out, the Black and Whites went over for another score before the break, Houghton showing great acceleration to dive over, and Holdsworth's conversion gave FC a 18-0 half-time lead.
After the break FC continued their dominance before McGuire suffered a knee injury which left him visibly distressed and unable to continue.
Undeterred, a committed Leeds tried to force their way back into the game, and when Liam Sutcliffe broke the line with an excellent run his pass allowed Delaney to score in the corner. Sinfield converted to close the gap to twelve.
Yeaman then broke the line and should have passed back inside for one of two open attackers to score for FC and the chance was missed but Hull held on regardless.
