Rhinos edge past Hull

Horne gives Hull the perfect start

Hull 18-20 Leeds

Leeds Rhinos came from behind to sink Hull in a thrilling encounter at The Boulevard.

The win leaves the Rhinos just one match away from a place at Twickenham - but it took a rousing second-half performance from Bradley Clyde to put Hull to the sword.

Despite their defeat, an impressive Hull side left the battlefield with their heads held high after nearly stealing the honours at the death.

The hosts showed exactly why they have adopted the nickname the "Airlie Birds" by scoring two tries in the first nine minutes.

Powerful

First, Richard Horne shocked the Leeds faithful by diving over wide on the left after a poor interception attempt from Cummins.

Hull then moved further in front thanks to some wonderful work from Paul Cooke.

He twisted past two Hull players before finding Smith with the simplest of passes.

Matt Crowther converted the try to put Hull 10-0 ahead and seemingly in control of the tie.

But Leeds, led by their powerful three-quarters Tonie Carroll and Keith Senior, fought their way back into contention with a devastating display of attacking football.

Karl Pratt began the recovery, sneaking over the line after good work from Senior.

Maher battles for the ball

Leeds captain Iestyn Harris, who has fired 56 points in this years Challenge Cup, then missed the conversion.

But Harris' miss made little difference - if anything it kickstarted a Rhinos onslaught.

Clyde showed pace and power to evade tackles from King and Jackson down the left flank before pulling the ball back to Pratt, who dived over.

Then Australian Brett Mullins somehow found Clyde, who swivelled past a stunned Hull defence to level the match.

Harris then got his first points on the board with a textbook conversion, as the Rhinos moved 14-12 in front.

Epic finale

The try seemed to inspire the visitors - and it was no surprise to see them move further in front just two minutes later.

Keith Senior burst down the left before finding Clyde, who added his second and Leeds' fourth try of the match.

Harris added the extra to give the West Yorkshire side an eight-point cushion.

Lee Jackson hauled Hull back into the match, popping a pass down the right to Chris Smith, who scored a try on the right.

Crowther ensured an epic finale, cutting the deficit to just two points by adding the extra.

But despite a late rally, Hull failed to break down the Leeds defence in tense finish.

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Hull: Bird, C. Smith, Horne, Campbell, Crowther, Cooke, T. Smith, Broadbent, Jackson, Felsch, Maher, Grimaldi, J. Smith.
Replacements: Gene, Maiden, King, Craven.

Leeds: Mullins, Pratt, Carroll, Senior, Cummins, Sinfield, Harris, Fleary, Diskin, McDermott, Farrell, Clyde, Hay.
Replacements: Walker, Calderwood, Wrench, Mathiou.

Referee: R Smith (Castleford).