HULL SUFFER WEMBLEY HANGOVER

AFTER flying high to win the Challenge Cup at Wembley on Saturday, Hull FC were brought crashing back down to earth by Leeds Rhinos last night. Last season, Hull’s victory in the Challenge Cup precipitated a collapse in the league, as they lost four of their final five games, including defeat in the playoffs. After this loss in Leeds, the worry is that history will repeat itself. Rhinos are guaranteed a play-off place and are in pole position to secure a home semi-final. They sit in second place, five points clear of Hull. After the sides traded early scores, the turning point arrived when Gareth Ellis was sent to the sin bin for a tackle on Stevie Ward. Hull struggled badly with 12 men, conceding a succession of penalties as Liam Sutcliffe and Mitch Garbutt crossed for Leeds. Hull roused themselves in a scrappy second half, but Leeds sealed it with a brilliant Matt Parcell try.