Round 2
Leeds Rhinos 18 d. Hull FC 4

2007 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Rhinos make a splash against Hull FC
Mon February 19, 2007
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

The Rhinos ground out an impressive win over Grand Finalist Hull with tries from Lee Smith, Kevin Sinfield and Ryan Bailey.

Heavy rain fell throughout the day at Headingley Carnegie with the ground staff having to deal with over three-quarters of an inch of rain during the day on a pitch that was already heavy from last weeks inclement weather.

It was clear that whoever could master the conditions would have a good control on the game and the Rhinos did well in the opening exchanges to complete their sets and pen Hull in their own half, looking for a mistake that would had over possession deep in enemy territory.

However, it was the visitors who had the best spell of pressure after Ryan Bailey knocked on trying to come away from his own line. Danny Tickle went closest before he was pushed back then Danny McGuire bravely dived to collect a grubber at the foot of the post.

The Rhinos made the most of their let off and went down field to force a repeat set on the Airlie Birds. McGuire put in a pin point kick to the corner and Sing had little option to dive on the loose ball.

The drop out was short and Leeds turned the screw. Having moved the ball from right to left they brought it back the other way. Diskin broke the line and did well to recover from a high shot before passing to Burrow. He fed Clinton Toopi who gave Lee Smith the simplest of scoring chances and he dived in at the corner. Sinfield added a brilliant touchline conversion in the conditions to make it 6-0 after 18 minutes.

The Rhinos produced some great defence in the middle of the pitch to contain Hull for the majority of the half. The only time the visitors had a real period of pressure in the Leeds half was when Toopi was penalised for back chat and Hull forced two repeat sets in the space of three minutes after Brent Webb was pinned in his in goal from good kicks by Richard Horne and then Thomas Lee. However, more heroic defending meant the Rhinos maintained their 6-0 lead at the interval.

Six minutes into the half Kevin Sinfield has the chance to extend the lead with a penalty from 36 metres out after Graeme Horne was penalised for throwing a punch. The Leeds skipper pushed his shot wide but Shaun Briscoe put a foot over the deadball line catching the ball. From the drop out Leeds moved the ball wide quickly, Burrow found McGuire who released Lauitiiti, the brilliant Kiwi offloaded like it was a summers day to Webb who sent Sinfield in for his first try since the corresponding round of fixtures last season. He converted his own try to make it 12-0 after 48 minutes.

Hull hit back ten minutes later after Leeds had knocked on through Lee Smith trying to get away from his line. Hull worked the ball through the forwards before Lee put a cross field kick through that looked as if it would run harmlessly dead but stopped dead in a puddle. Matt Sing was fastest to react but the replay seemed to suggest his foot touched the whitewash as he splashed down to ground the ball. Video ref Ben Thaler disagreed and the try was given. Tickle missed the conversion so the Rhinos now led 12-4.

The Rhinos should have had their third try of the night after 65 minutes but the conditions again construed against them. McGuire made a great break on half way before chipping over the top of Briscoe. Burrow raced through and dribbled ahead and was ready to dive on the bouncing ball only to see it stop dead in a puddle and Washbrook kicked it dead.

However the Rhinos did not have to wait long for their next score. Having moved back down field, Ryan Bailey forced his way over the line and amazingly with three tacklers in attendance got the ball down. Sinfield added the conversion to make it 18-4 after 70 minutes.

The Rhinos showed real steel in defence to maintain that score and record a hard earned win over last season's Grand Finalists in front of the biggest ever crowd in the summer era for a game between these two sides.

Leeds: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Bailey, Diskin, Leuluai, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield
Subs: Peacock, Tansey, Thackray, Lauitiiti

Hull: Briscoe, Sing, Whiting, Yeaman, Raynor, Horne, Lee, Dowes, Swain, Carvell, Tickle, McMenemy, Washbrook
Subs: Godwin, G Horne, Maiava, Wheeldon

Referee: Steve Ganson
Attendance: 18,659

Report source: www.leedsrugby.com

Article: Smith proud of his players


Headingley Insight: Leeds v Hull FC
Fri February 16, 2007
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

In this weeks edition of Headingley Carnegie Insight, Leeds coach Tony Smith looks ahead to the Rhinos game against Hull FC at Headingley Carnegie this Friday, kick off 8pm.

WERE YOU SURPRISED BY SOME OF THE RESULTS LAST WEEK?
This year will as competitive as any season has been for many years. That was evident last week with six very tight games and a few results that perhaps some people were surprised by. Having said that, I don't think you will see games as tight as those every week due to the very nature of our game. Teams do get a roll on in games and you can have very good days and some not so good days. If you look at our game against Huddersfield for Keith Senior's Testimonial it showed that when a team gets on top and things go right you can build up big scores, in contrast the Giants have since had two close games against St Helens and Bradford.

DO YOU THINK THINGS WILL SETTLE DOWN THIS WEEK?
I heard comments about everyone being a little rusty at the start of the season but hopefully that rustiness will be gone from all concerned once we have got a couple of games under our belt. It is important that we get back to talking about the quality of the Rugby League on display rather than side issues surrounding the game. This game is all about its stars; the players, and that is where all our thoughts should be. The players are what this game is all about.

Our team has gelled together very well and there is a real closeness between the players which is an important ingredient in any side striving for success. The coaches can build on that sense of togetherness and give the players the support to spur them on and make them even stronger.

HOW HIGHLY DO YOU RATE HULL?
Hull had a great year last season and they have been expressing their desire to go one better this season and that is the challenge that they and the rest of the sides in Super League face throughout the campaign, it is certainly the case for us.

They have quality players across the park and we had some very good contests over recent years and I am sure that Friday will be another one of those. Both teams have very passionate supporters and it makes for a great atmosphere, almost derby like, so it should be a great night.

PEACOCK RETURNS FOR RHINOS AS SCRUTON IS RULED OUT
Great Britain captain Jamie Peacock will return to the Rhinos side for the visit of Hull on Friday at Headingley Carnegie, kick off 8pm.

Peacock has returned to full training this week after an un-displaced fractured orbit however fellow prop Nick Scruton is ruled out after a scan revealed a fracture in his foot. He will see a consultant this week to see the extent of the injury and the length of recovery.

Ashley Gibson is ruled out after suffering some bone bruising last week in the win at Salford so Lee Smith takes his place in the 18 man squad.

The Rhinos are expecting a bumper crowd with the South Stand all ticket and seated areas virtually sold out although cash turnstiles will be available for both the Western and Carnegie Stand terrace. Fans can also purchase tickets 24 hours a day at www.leedsrugby.com.

The squad in full is:

1 Brent Webb
2 Scott Donald
3 Clinton Toopi
4 Keith Senior
5 Lee Smith
6 Danny McGuire
7 Robert Burrow
8 Kylie Leuluai
9 Matt Diskin
10 Jamie Peacock
11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12 Gareth Ellis
13 Kevin Sinfield (c)
14 Ali Lauitiiti
15 Jamie Thackray
16 Ryan Bailey
18 Ian Kirke
23 Jordan Tansey

News sent by: www.leedsrugby.com

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