Leeds Rhinos needed a strong second-half performance to secure a hard-fought 36-22 win over Hull FC in the Super League Super 8s this evening.
Both sides crossed the try line inside the opening 10 minutes, with Mark Minichiello cancelling out an early effort from Ash Handley in what was a cagey opening 40 minutes in which neither side added further to the scoreboard.
Hull made the brighter start to the second half as Stephen Michael gave them the lead shortly before the restart, leaping over in the corner following a quick break,
However, Carl Ablett, Rob Burrow and Ryan Hall all went over in a dominant 10-minute spell from the visitors, opening up a gap for the Rhinos.
Jordan Rankin and Jamie Shaul kept the home side in contention heading into the final 15 minutes as they cut the gap to four points, but Hall added a second late on to put victory beyond doubt for Leeds.
The result keeps Leeds at the top of the standings, while Hull stay seventh.
Sian Cowper
