Leeds Rhinos aren’t so much limping into the play-offs as being carried on a stretcher after suffering a third successive home defeat, 18-12 to Hull FC on Friday.
It was an utterly dismal performance from Leeds who had most of the territory, but managed only two tries, one of those in the final moments. Though Hull were spirited, they didn’t offer a lot else, but Rhinos never looked like pulling the game from the fire after going behind for the second time.
The spark Leeds have had in attack for most of the season was totally lacking. Both halves were well below par and, other than Keenan Palasia’s strong return from injury, there were no real positives.
Rhinos look in desperate need of their bye next week, but it will take a huge improvement for them to get through their home semi-final in fortnight’s time, whoever they play. After a good season, the wheels have come off at exactly the wrong time.
Most of the opening period was played in Hull’s half, but the visitors took one of their few opportunities to go ahead, through Logan Moy. Leeds needed a try out of the blue by Chris Hankinson to level matters at the break.
Hull’s Lloyd Kemp scored a calamitous try direct from a Leeds short drop out and Lennon Clark went over seven minutes from time, both being converted. Kallum Watkins’ 77th minute score, which Connor improved, wasn’t much consolation.
Rhinos missed some early chances, with the returning Maika Sivo being tackled into touch and dropping Ash Handley’s pass and Jack Bird just failing to get downward pressure on Connor’s kick. That set the tone, Leeds created opportunities, but found creative ways to waste them.
Hull went ahead after 21 minutes in a penalty set when former Rhino Tom Briscoe - in his 400th and final career game - turned the ball back to Moy. That was converted by Kemp, but Leeds equalised nine minutes later when Hankinson went round the marker from dummy-half and somehow managed to get the ball down despite having several tacklers on him. Connor tagged on the two.
Kemp ran straight over after Leeds didn’t defend a poor line drop out 12 minutes into the second period. Bird seemed to have scored with 10 left when Connor got a hand to Brodie Croft’s kick, but on-field referee Aaron Moore and video official Liam Rush decided the scrum-half had knocked on.
Almost immediately Clark made crossed from Zak Hardaker’s pass, Kemp adding his third goal to open a two-score gap. Matt Lodge’s pass sent Watkins over for a converted try late on, but it was too little, too late.
In front of a 16,302 crowd, Rhinos received three penalties to Hull’s four. Set restarts were six-three in the hosts’ favour.
Leeds Rhinos: Handley, Sivo, Newman, Bird, Hall, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O’Connor, Lodge, Cassell, Hankinson, Palasia. Subs Holroyd, C Smith, Jenkins Watkins.
Hull FC: Moy, Martin, Briscoe, Litten, Barron, Bailey, Arthur, Ese’ese, Kemp, Hill, Romano, O’Neill, Bell. Subs Hardaker, Salabio, Laidlaw, Clark.
Referee: Aaron Moore (Wigan). Attendance: 16,302.
13. Second-row: Chris Hankinson (no 14)
Quick thinking for his try from acting-half, heavily involved 6 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
14. Loose-forward: Keenan Palasia (no 13)
Returned from injury and looked good in two strong-running spells 7 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
15. Sub: Kallum Watkins (no 11)
Scored Leeds’ second try, but too late to make a difference 5 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
16. Sub: Cameron Smith (no 17)
One of Leeds’ livelier players, though never quite found a gap 6 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
18. Sub: Tom Holroyd (no 10)
Did his best to turn the game Leeds’ way 7 Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com