Hull overcame a heavy first-half penalty deficit and allowing Leeds a 21-0 after just 15 minutes to recover very well to gain a well earned bonus point in a 33-24 points defeat at Chants Ave.
Leeds showed their clear intent from the kick-off and made the most of a few Hull errors to gain footholds in the Hull ‘22’ with a succession of penalties that gave them lineouts from which they scored three well constructed catch-and-drive tries through forwards Hough after three minutes, Adam Brown after 11 minutes and Tom Williams after 15 minutes. Scrum-half Kit Keith converted all three tries to see his side in command at 21-0.
Hull then bounced back and having worked their way deep into the Leeds ‘22’ and gained a penalty award their scrum-half Harvey Harding took a quick tap penalty as Leeds seemed to be waiting for a kick at goal, and he scampered over the line to touch down near the posts with full back Fynlay Hobson converting after 33 minutes.
Hull kept up the pressure and after a turnover ball near the half way and a great burst from back rower Adam Brankley and great backing up ended with Hull winger Harry Dawkins touching down with full-back Hobson converting to see Hull right back in at half-time at 21-14 in Leeds favour.
The start of the second period was a carbon copy of the first and saw Leeds utilise Hull’s lack of discipline and two more catch-and-drive tries after 42 and 53 minutes to their forwards prop Toby Williams and Brown with Keith converting the second try to go ahead 33-14.
Just two minutes later Hull worked a catch-and-drive try of their own as prop Tom Bairstow celebrated his 50th club appearance with an unconverted try.
Leeds responded, but it was Hull who kept pressing and a forward drive after 76 minutes ended with the ball being moved down the Hull back line with Hobson going over for a try that he narrowly failed to convert to see Leeds eventually run out 33-24 winners with Hull gaining a single bonus point.
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