Leeds Tykes won their first match since the reverse fixture in October. As usual, the West Yorkshire team flew out the blocks at 100 mph. Within 4 minutes they were 7 points to the good when Rhys Williams picked up Hull’s overthrown line-out, which set up an attack by the forwards. Grayson Maguire scored the first try after side-stepping several defenders. Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley converted.
Leeds enjoyed lineout steals throughout the match. This disrupted Hull’s game and meant they had little possession. The second turnover led to a line break from Tom Williams giving the home side field position for Kieran Davies to score between the posts. Maxwell-Whiteley’s conversion was successful.
After the restart, Connor Hancock, who’d come on for an injured Pleasants early in the match, threw a dummy that any back would be proud of as he charged down the wing.
Mauling proved a successful attacking platform for Leeds. Hull found themselves one man down when William Hall was sin binned for pulling down the Tyke’s maul. After a series of penalties during mauls, Rhys Williams drove over for Leeds’ third try.
Taking advantage of the extra man, Leeds continued to use the successful tactic. Tom Williams secured his side’s fourth try on 24 minutes when the ball was released from the back of one. Maxwell-Whiteley added the extras.
Hull started to string a few phases together and got deep into Leeds’ territory. Leeds defended well and regained the ball on several occasions. One of those occasions saw Will Dennis make a barn-storming break before being hauled down. Injured, he was replaced by Sam Mace who played at tighthead prop for the rest of the match.
The away side opened their tally when Alexander Todd crossed out on the wing. They were reduced to 14 when the referee sent Laurence Cowen to the sin-bin after another series of penalties.
26 – 5 at half time.
After the break, Tykes’ centre Williams grabbed his second try finishing a move from the backs that he’d started off a planned move from the line-out.
Hull didn’t let up and this prevented Leeds from having much of the ball. Much of the second half was scrappy as both sides tried to improve on their scores.
The hosts increased their lead after 65 minutes when Jacob Mounsey scored following up his chip and chase.
Another forwarded wanted a piece of the action as he pounded up the wing, handing off several Hull players.
With a few minutes of play remaining, Hull’s centre Stephen Johnson went over when Leeds missed a few tackles. Reece Dean slotted the conversion.
In the last seconds of the match, Harry Jukes prevented a Hull try by winning the race to touch the ball down in the in-goal area.
Speaking after the match, Jon Callard Director of Rugby, said: “That early score in the second half took the monkey off our backs. We were exceptional at defending and I thought we were very disciplined. Losing 2 probs early doors put us under pressure but we didn’t panic.
“It’s an important 5 points in our quest.”
36 – 5
(HT 26-5)
Our scorers
