Leeds Rhinos vs Hull FC

CLASSIC CLASH HULLFC
In each edition of Blue and
Amber this season, we’ve dug
into the archives to highlight
a memorable classic clash.
For tonight’s opponents
Hull FC, we are rewinding
the clock to 2002…
Leeds Rhinos bounced back
into form with a 52-10 win
over Hull at Headingley, ending
their nine-match slump in style
with a comprehensive win.
The Rhinos had won only three of
their nine matches since a 38-16
defeat of Hull to round off their
perfect May, and lost their fourth
place to the Airlie Birds after
a defeat to Wigan last week.
However, they moved back
above their visitors on points
difference and gained a crucial
confidence boost going into
the final five matches with
a fine display. They blew Hull
away in a fantastic opening 40
minutes, and went ahead in only
the second minute, when Mark
Calderwood finished off a good
move, Ben Walker converting.
Francis Cummins sent Keith
Senior striding in on nine minutes
and opposite centre Tonie Carroll
powered his way over before
the quarter mark, plus Matt
Adamson then crashed in to put
Leeds further ahead, Walker
adding a third goal and make the
scoreline 22-0 after 21 minutes.
BARRIE MCDERMOTT
Karl Pratt added the fifth try
when he touched down Ryan
Sheridan’s kick after the halfhour
mark, and Cummins’ try
minutes later gave the home
side a 32-0 interval lead.
Hull used the break to regather
themselves, and former Leeds
winger Gareth Raynor had a
try ruled out for
double movement
after the restart
as they looked to
get off the mark.
As Hull pressed,
Leeds hit back
with a breakaway
try, Kevin Sinfield
taking a Lee
Jackson kick
and sending
long-striding
winger Calderwood the length
of the field, Walker’s goal
creating a 38-point advantage.
Substitute Paul Cooke scored in
the corner to finally get Hull off
the mark, and Jackson added a
try against his former club soon
afterwards, but the reply was
already too late. Walker kicked a
penalty before Jamie Jones-
Buchanan dived in to open up a
46-10 lead. Fellow substitute Rob
Burrow created a deserved try
for Walker with seven minutes
remaining, and the stand off
added the goal to reach 20
points for the game and push
Leeds past the half-century.
What happened next?
The Rhinos finished the season
strongly to claim a spot in
the play-offs and went on to
defeat Hull again at home
in the first round of the post
season; Keith Senior scoring a
hat trick. A week later, Leeds’
season came to a close at the
DW Stadium as Wigan recorded
a 41-18 result to keep their
Grand Final dreams alive.
MATT ADMAMSON
WAYNE MCDONALD
Teams
Leeds:
1 Cummins (c),
14 Calderwood,
3 Carroll, 4 Senior,
2 Pratt, 6 Walker,
7 Sheridan, 18 Ward,
9 Diskin, 17 McDonald,
12 Adamson,
16 Poching, 13 Sinfield.
Subs: 29 Bailey,
5 Walker, 21 Jones-
Buchanan, 19 Burrow.
Tries: Calderwood
(2), Senior, Carroll,
Adamson, Pratt,
Cummins, Jones-
Buchanan, B.Walker.
Goals: B.Walker (8).
Hull FC:
1 Prescott, 2 Raynor,
4 Kohe-Love,
33 Mackay, 23 Parker,
17 Chester, 7 Smith,
8 Greenhill, 9 Jackson,
12 Logan, 11 Maher,
14 Ryan, 13 Smith (c).
Subs: 16 Cooke,
10 King, 19 Fletcher,
24 Yeaman.
Tries: Cooke, Jackson.
Goals: Mackay (1).
Referee:
Karl Kirkpatrick
Attendance: 10,355
25 | RHINOS VS HULL FC