Leeds Rhinos suffered a major scare at the MKM Stadium where they faced coachless Hull FC who were boosted by two new recruits and the brilliant youngster Jack Charles.
The Rhinos managed to just scrape an 18-12 win, a scoreline that will add more pressure to Rohan Smith despite it being two points on the Super League table regardless.
Hull FC handed debuts to loanees Ed Chamberlain and Yusuf Aydin with both men impressing whilst for Leeds Rhinos, they were forced into handing a debut to teenage Riley Lumb.
Injuries in the three-quarter line saw Lumb handed his debut and he was one of the few shining lights for the Rhinos at the MKM, the teen scoring a first-half brace and putting in a Man of the Match performance with ball in hand and defensively.
Debutant the only positive for lacklustre Leeds Rhinos
Credit: SWpix
The game started poorly for Hull FC with Morgan Smith bundled into touch by Lumb from the kick-off, however, it was the home side who scored first with Smith redeeming himself by grabbing the opener.
It wasn’t long before Rohan Smith’s side hit back though with Riley Lumb scoring his first for the club and the teen would then double up in strange circumstances just before the half-time break.
The try wasn’t given on-field by Liam Rush but video referee Jack Smith judged that Lumb had enough of his fingertip on the ball to ground it and put the Rhinos in front. Just minutes prior Luis Roberts had a tried ruled out by Jack Smith on the other wing.
Heading into the half just 12-6 down it was certainly an improved performance for Hull FC and dispute the lead it was a very poor one for the Rhinos who completed just 10 of their 19 sets in the opening forty,
They did strike first after the break with Cam Smith latching onto Brodie Croft’s flat pass to barge over and the game looked to be over when Matt Frawley scored under the sticks, however, video referee Jack Smith ruled the try out to give Hull FC a lifeline.
They took that immediately with Lewis Martin scoring in the corner to set up a tense final 25 minutes. Brodie Croft tried to ice the game with a drop goal but pulled it wide and that miss was compounded minutes later when half-back partner Matt Frawley kicked out on the full when attempting a 40/20.
Those two incidents, within minutes of each other, summed up Leeds Rhinos’ season so far. Desperate and without real conviction or quality. Leeds managed to hang on to earn the win and keep themselves within two points of the playoff spots but it will be a mightily concerning performance for fans of the Rhinos.
For Hull FC, they can take great optimism from the game. They looked a different team to the one beaten 58-0 by St Helens just over a week ago and there certainly looks to be building blocks in Simon Grix’s early interim coaching tenure.
The Rhinos are made to work hard but get back to winning ways thanks to a second half try from Cameron Smith
Hull FC 12 – 18 Rhinos
🤝 In partnership #Anchor #ButtertheFoodButtertheMood pic.twitter.com/EMcGGHp16P— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) April 28, 2024
