Sinfield steps up in style
WINNING UGLY. Not a mantra normally associated with Leeds, but needs must in the Challenge Cup.
At a rain- soaked KC Stadium, the holders played the conditions perfectly to move into the semi- finals.
As a spectacle, it was awful at times, but take nothing away from the Rhinos.
Hull certainly took nothing from them on a bitterly frustrating night for the home faithful.
Kevin Sinfield, who captained the Rhinos to victory over Castleford in last year’s final, provided a touch of class as they moved to within 80 minutes of a Wembley return. These sides had met in a stormy Super League encounter Headingley last Sunday.
Leeds won 32- 20 to reclaim top spot but playmaker Danny McGuire suffered an ankle injury following a dangerous tackle by Hull scrum- half Marc Sneyd.
McGuire was subsequently sidelined for last night’s game and Sneyd missed out through suspension after copping a two- match ban.
Leeds’ highly- regarded young stand- off Liam Sutcliffe, who has shown such promise this season, suffered a season- ending knee injury against Hull last weekend.
He will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament next
at in the left corner. Sinfield converted and then added two penalties to make it 10- 0 at the break.
Hull sorely lacked ideas and were also undermined by numerous handling errors. With Sinfield’s educated right boot guiding them around the park, the Rhinos landed a killer blow three minutes into the second half.
Sinfield’s delightful reverse pass found England centre Kallum Watkins, who showed impressive strength to hold off a Hull defender and cross the line for a try which Sinfield converted.
Sinfield was instrumental again when Zak Hardaker finished off a deft handling sequence. Jordan Abdull replied late on for Hull, whose supporters clashed with stewards in the closing stages of defeat.
While Leeds march on in both the Super League and the Challenge Cup, Hull can focus on avoiding relegation.
Coach Lee Radford will hope the return of Sneyd, who played for Castleford against Leeds at Wembley last August, will give them added guile.
While the Rhinos were some way below their best, no team will fancy facing them in the semi- finals.
HULL – Tries: LEEDS – Tries: Goals:
Goal: