Hull FC 22 Leigh Centurions 26 - Airlie Birds suffer another miserable setback

HULL FC's woes were added to as Leigh ended their eight-game losing streak in Super League with this win at the KCOM Stadium.
Hull FC's Albert Kelly scored a late try, but it couldn't prevent defeat at home to Leigh. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.comHull FC's Albert Kelly scored a late try, but it couldn't prevent defeat at home to Leigh. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Hull FC's Albert Kelly scored a late try, but it couldn't prevent defeat at home to Leigh. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com

It had been 12 years since Leigh’s previous visit to the KCOM for a Super League fixture, which ended 76-20 to the Black and Whites.

But the Centurions, despite their recent poor form, multiplied the misery caused by Hull’s Magic Weekend whitewash at the hands of St Helens.

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Leigh took the lead when swift hands from Matty Fleming gave winger Matty Dawson the time and space to score in the right-hand corner. Ben Reynolds’s touchline conversion fell short of the posts, but the visitors led 4-0.

Hull FC's Marc Sneyd. Picture: Danny Lawson/PAHull FC's Marc Sneyd. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA
Hull FC's Marc Sneyd. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA

From a scrum 10m from Leigh’s line, play switched to the left where the home side had worked an overlap allowing Jamie Shaul to score. Marc Sneyd’s missed conversion meant the score was tied at 4-4.

Dawson’s second try gave Leigh the lead again, but Reynolds missed the conversion.

Steve Michaels thought he had restored parity, but his ‘try’ was chalked off because of a knock-on.

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Hull fell 14-4 behind after Atelea Vea scored Leigh’s third try and Reynolds converted.

Hull FC's Marc Sneyd. Picture: Danny Lawson/PAHull FC's Marc Sneyd. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA
Hull FC's Marc Sneyd. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA

But Hull’s response was instant, Carlos Tuimavave strolling through amid confusion in the Centurions’ defence.

Sneyd’s successful conversion was the last kick of the first half and saw Leigh with a 14-10 lead.

After the break, Reynolds quickly added to Leigh’s tally, Josh Drinkwater again the provider. Reynolds converted.

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After a 40-metre break from Albert Kelly, Shaul went over for his second try of the game. Sneyd’s conversion closing the deficit to 20-16.

Shaul failed to gather a high kick allowing Vea a second try and Reynolds converted.

Kelly’s try and Sneyd’s conversion gave Hull hope, but Leigh managed to hold on.

Hull FC: Shaul, Michaels, Tuimavave, Griffin, Rawsthorne, Kelly, Sneyd, Bowden, Houghton, Watts, Manu, Minichiello, Green. Substitutes: Turgut, Fash, Downs, Washbrook.

Leigh Centurions: McNally, Dawson, Fleming, Paterson, Brown, Reynolds, Drinkwater, Weston, Hood, Acton, Vea, Hansen, Stewart. Substitutes: Pelissier, Tickle, Hopkins, Burr.

Referee: Ben Thaler (RFL).