Saturday, July 29, 2017

Hull FC beat Leeds to reach Challenge Cup final

Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final - Hull FC v LeedsHull FC (18) 43Tries: Kelly, Tuimavave 2, Green, Watts, Shaul, Taylor Goals: Sneyd 7 Drop-Goal:SneydLeeds Rhinos (12) 24Tries: Hall 2, Watkins, Golding Goals: Watkins 3, Lilley

Challenge Cup holders Hull FC powered their way into another Wembley final after running in seven tries against Leeds Rhinos at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Callum Green's try put Hull 18-12 ahead at the break after they twice levelled, with Carlos Tuimavave and Albert Kelly responding to Ryan Hall's brace.

Tuimavave's second sparked a try blitz, with further scores coming from Liam Watts, Jamie Shaul and Scott Taylor.

Hull FC meet the winner of Sunday's semi-final between Wigan and Salford.

A drop goal by man-of-the-match Marc Sneyd, taking the score to 25-12 after 55 minutes at a time when the Airlie Birds were piling the pressure on, left Leeds with a huge challenge to overcome if they were to reach their sixth final in eight years.

Kallum Watkins' display of pace and power, getting on the end of a deft kick from Danny McGuire, five minutes later gave the Rhinos renewed hope.

But three tries in five minutes from Hull put the result beyond doubt, booking a return to the nation's capital on Saturday, 26 August.

Ashton Golding's try two minutes from time was a mere consolation effort, but served to exemplify the quality and desire on display in Doncaster.

At times both sides defended stubbornly, with the poise and class of Hall to finish two first-half tries the highlight of Leeds' attacking exploits.

Hull were spoiled for inspired contributors, with stand-off Kelly creating his try for nothing and then showing supreme patience to put Watts over in the second half, while Tuimavave's two tries were expertly taken.

For Taylor, his try to cap a sensational team performance ensured he marked his 250th career appearance in style.

Reaction

Hull FC head coach Lee Radford told BBC Sport: "It's special, what we've spoken about all season, we defend that trophy.

"Special mention goes to conditioning and physio staff - I had a full pack of cards to have that is a credit at this stage of the season.

"We stifled them of field position, fixed up in second period and credit to Marc Sneyd's kicking game."

Leeds Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott told BBC Sport:"They were very good. It was a good contest in the first half but, as Lee Radford said, they stifled us in the second half and their kicking game was outstanding.

"A couple of kick tries gave them a numerical advantage, which wasn't insurmountable but with the lack of field position we didn't have in that second half, I thought they were really good.

"We weren't awful, but they were really good."

Hull FC: Shaul; Fonua, Griffin, Tuimavave, Talanoa; Kelly, Sneyd; Taylor, Houghton, Watts, Manu, Minichiello, Ellis

Replacements: Connor, Green, Bowden, Washbrook.

Leeds Rhinos: Golding; Briscoe, Watkins, Keinhorst, Hall; Moon, McGuire; Cuthbertson, Parcell, Singleton, Ward, Ablett, Jones-Buchanan

Replacements: Garbutt, Ferres, Mullally, Lilley.

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