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Briscoe gives Hull edge at last

Hull 34 Leeds Rhinos 20

Wyn Griffiths
Sunday 06 May 2012 01:10 BST
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Tom Briscoe settled the issue with a breakaway try in front of national team coach Steve McNamara
Tom Briscoe settled the issue with a breakaway try in front of national team coach Steve McNamara (Getty Images)

Two scintillating tries by England winger Tom Briscoe helped Hull to a first win against Leeds in five years. Hull ended an 11-game losing streak against the reigning champions going back to 2007 and also halted the Rhinos' run of impressive results.

The win lifts Hull to within three points of league leaders Wigan while Leeds stay seventh, a further three points behind.

The game was in the balance until Briscoe settled the issue with a breakaway try in front of national team coach Steve McNamara. Teenager Ben Crooks, son of Hull legend Lee Crooks, then ran in the first try of his career.

The Rhinos went in front early as Ben Jones-Bishop scored from a forward pass missed by referee James Child. But Hull equalised soon after thanks to Danny Tickle's eighth try of the season.

Tickle thought he had scored again when he collected Brett Seymour's high kick, but the video referee ruled that he had knocked on in grounding the ball.

After their let-off, the Rhinos showed their clinical edge as Kevin Sinfield put Carl Ablett in at the corner. But Hull caught Leeds cold with two tries in as many minutes.

Winger Will Sharp weaved his way across to finish a move started by hooker Danny Houghton. Straight from the kick-off Willie Manu's pass inside sent Crooks down the wing, and he put Briscoe on his way for a try by the posts.

Tickle managed three penalties in the second half to give the home side breathing space, which they needed when Ryan Hall crossed over for Leeds with 15 minutes left. But when Sinfield missed the conversion the Rhinos were left needing a further two scores.

Danny McGuire did go over for another try, but it was a consolation after Briscoe had already picked up his second of the night and Crooks had captured his first try.

Hull Russell, Sharp, Whiting, Crooks, T. Briscoe, Turner, Seymour, Moa, Houghton, Lynch, Manu, Tickle, Pitts. Substitutes used: Aspinwall, O'Carroll, O'Meley, Ellis.

Leeds Webb, Jones-Bishop, Ablett, Hardaker, Hall, Sinfield, McGuire, Leuluai, Lunt, Peacock, Clarkson, Delaney, Jones-Buchanan. Substitutes used: Moore, Griffin, Kirke, L. Smith.

Referee James Child (Dewsbury)

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