Five key takeaways as boo boys Hull FC see comeback fall short against Leigh Leopards

Hull FC had a whirlwind afternoon but ultimately lost a ninth game in ten with the home fans at the MKM Stadium going through every emotion.

Leigh ran out as 32-22 winners in the end despite leading 28-0 at half time, something that led to a chorus of boos from the home fans but they were soon on their feet after a flurry of three tries in ten minutes.

That offered hope but that’s all it was as Leigh were able to see the game out, albeit in very nervy fashion, to move to fifth in Super League as they won their tenth game in twelve.

For Hull FC, they still sit in 13th, six points clear of Huddersfield but two adrift of Castleford in 12th and despite their fightback, they never truly looked like winning.

Josh Charnley, Adam Cook, a David Armstrong brace and a late Umyla Hanley score left them reeling at the half and despite

We’ve picked out five of the key takeaways from what was a wild game of Super League with both coaches likely left feeling flat.

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Hull FC and Leigh Leopards takeaways

Booooo

It’s been a familiar sound at the MKM Stadium in recent years but it doesn’t make it any nicer to hear and today’s chorus of boos, deserved as they were, were incredibly loud.

They came at half time initially and with the Leopards having scored on the hooter, it meant that the boos were even more passionate.

They’d subside in the second half when Hull FC came to life as they scored three tries in a ten-minute period but the Black and Whites failed to capitalise on a man advantage as they fell short in their comeback.

Leopards imperfect but win again

For 40 minutes, Leigh were incredible but at that point, they may well have thought they had the game already sewn up.

Standards dropped and a flurry of tries saw the home crowd get loud and create plenty of adversity, which was heightened when Owen Trout was sin binned but the fact that Leigh didn’t fold shows that they’re made of sterner stuff.

It marks the second week in a row where they’ve been off the pace but still managed to win, extending their run to 10 wins in 12, with Leigh now firmly in the top six and with a genuine shot at going to Old Trafford.

David Armstrong top five player in Super League?

Armstrong only returned from his injury in May and it maybe took him a while to get going but ever since Magic Weekend, he has been absolutely electric and you can make a strong case that he is currently the most exciting player in Super League.

Three tries, one assist and a total of 300 metres in the last two matches showcased that but he’d add two more tries today despite not playing at his natural position of full-back.

Heading into the final eight rounds, with Leigh only set to welcome players back, there won’t be a better player in Super League to watch.

Big players in big moments

Adam Cook started the season well off the boil, by Adrian Lam’s own admission, but he’s been simmering and even starting to ball in the past few weeks and today was no different.

He scored off his own kick in the first half and just as the game was turning in the favour of the hosts, whilst Leigh were down a player, he kicked a booming 40/20 to turn the tide.

That led to what was Josh Charnley’s second try with Cook the man providing that assist as he launched the pass out to the winger, who scored his 278th Super League try.

When it looked like Leigh might throw it away, their key men stepped up and secured the win.

Flat build-up for Hull derby

Is it possible for both sides to lost in next week’s Hull derby? Because on form, you wouldn’t be backing either of them. Hull KR slipped out of the play-offs thanks to their sorry defeat to Warrington with Leigh leapfrogging them thanks to this win over Hull FC.

That marked the second straight loss for Rovers but they were far from dominant in their Magic Weekend win against Hull FC.

As for the Black and Whites, this marked their ninth defeat in ten and despite patches in the second half, they’ll admit it was a poor performance. They’ll be desperate to put a dent in the play-off hopes of Hull KR but they’ve shown so little to suggest that they can do that. Meanwhile, Hull KR have showed just as little, making next week’s game a very awkward one to predict.

.@LeighLeopardsRL hold off a second half fightback to make it four consecutive #SuperLeague victories 🐆 pic.twitter.com/bldRsDPUAw

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 18, 2026