Nick Gandy
Super League
Leeds Rhinos 36-6 Hull FC
8/2/2013
Last Friday saw the opening match of the Leeds Rhinos season. They went against local boys Hull FC and although the match was tight in the first half the Rhinos eventually came away with a respectful 36-6 win. In the initial minutes of the match, Hull held possession well and pushed themselves deep into Rhino territory. This much pressure so early on was not a good sign but the Leeds team fought back and refused to let them score.
As the home side got more and more possession they looked increasingly likely to score, however each time they came close they would attempt a cross-field kick which never seemed to work out. Their reluctance to carry the ball over the line meant they never capitalized on the good gains they were making.
First blood came as Leeds once again came close to a score and Kevin Sinfield, the Leeds institution, put a grubber through the defence, which Hull then fumbled and he dived onto expertly. A quick conversion later and Rhinos were 6-0 up, but the good times didn’t last. Hull performed some good counter play and stole the ball from Leeds deep within their own half.
The away side then moved with new energy and determination, they moved up the pitch quickly, getting within scoring distance in no time and wasted no time actually scoring. This brought the score to 6-6 and frankly this was a fair score for the game played so far. The half-time whistle was blown and the Rhinos went in knowing there was more they could offer.
The second-half brought a new Leeds onto the pitch. They became the dominant force that Grand Final champions should be. Tries came in quick and strong from Joel Moon, Jamie Peacock, Chris Clarkson and Danny McGuire. This spate of successes leading to a 30-6 lead was down to the Rhinos acting like their namesake beasts and charging that ball over the line. They kept the ball in hand, forced their way into dangerous positions and wasted no time in breaking through to score. Hull seemed to have no answer for these new tactics and their morale quickly diminished.
The night was capped off by a superb running try from Ryan Hall, breaking through tackles and bringing the ball down in position for an easy conversion by Sir Kevin. Man of the match went to Kevin Sinfield, the captain of the Rhinos and the hero of every fan in Leeds. It was a change in tactics that no doubt came from Sinfield and coach Brian Dermott that led to the win and this coupled with his unrivaled individual play meant it was an honour well deserved.
The second-half brought out the Rhinos that Leeds fans know and love. This week they will be facing Castleford Tigers away but even so Leeds fans will be hoping for a similar result to last week, one they are more than capable of.