Skipper Watkins leads the way
KALLUM WATKINS produced a captain’s knock with two deadly finishes and an assist as Leeds left Hull without a win at Emerald Headingley since 2007.
The Rhinos skipper touched down in both halves and his astute offload also allowed former Hull winger Tom Briscoe to complete a brace.
Both sides were missing key players but it was the defending Super League holders who prevailed to claim their 14th successive
LEEDS
home win against Black and Whites.
The match was Leeds’ first at their historic home since the iconic South Stand terrace and North Stand opposite were demolished towards the end of last year.
The building work has meant capacity is reduced to about 12,000 but almost one half of the new South Stand the was populated with fans and they were soon backing the Rhinos with all their usual zeal.
Two tries in the opening quarter saw to that and put Leeds 10-0 up, but Hull fought back to make it 10-6 at the break.
The Rhinos signed playmaker Richie Myler from Catalans during the winter and, in the sixth minute, his flighted kick was expertly fielded by Watkins, who outjumped the defence and touched down. Ten minutes later, his delightful pass sent Briscoe diving over the right corner.
It could have been worse for Hull as Briscoe had another effort ruled out but the visitors finally woke up and fashioned an impressive response.
Hull winger Jack Logan – playing his first game for almost two years after injury – and Josh Griffin also had scores not given by video referee Phil Bentham but Dean Hadley got them off the in mark in the 30th minute when he dived under the posts to ground Marc Sneyd’s kick.
In the second half, Jamie Jones-Buchanan was the latest player to see a try ruled out by Bentham but in the 54th minute Watkins burst on to a pass from Myler. The centre then sent Briscoe bustling over for his second, before Hull hit back through Jordan Abdull and Fetuli Talanoa.