Hull FC 24 Leeds Rhinos 16: Early narratives challenged as hosts flip the script
It is always tempting to read too much into early-season results.
Big wins can flatter, losing runs can mislead and the truth often lies somewhere in the middle.
Leeds Rhinos' hammering of Hull KR in Las Vegas had felt like a marker, while Hull FC’s four straight defeats hinted at deeper problems – but Sunday's meeting served as a reminder that narratives take time to develop.
The Rhinos arrived at the MKM Stadium as favourites despite the disappointment of last week's Challenge Cup exit, only for the depleted hosts to defy the odds.
A team missing Aidan Sezer, Will Pryce, Herman Ese'ese and several more frontline players dug deep to earn a pressure-relieving victory.
Having seen their own cup run come to an end, the Black and Whites produced a response that underlined their commitment to John Cartwright.
Leeds, by contrast, had no such injury excuses as their Vegas hangover continued.
To highlight their struggles in Hull, Maika Sivo failed to score for the first time.
The ragged Rhinos were kept scoreless in the second half in the face of an inspired Hull performance.
Once again, Brad Arthur's side didn't have the answers when forced to chase, even if they did briefly haul themselves back into the contest.
Leeds fell 14-2 behind inside 17 minutes after breaking the deadlock through Jake Connor's early penalty.
Jake Arthur ensured there were no family favours on offer as he crossed against his father's team. The half-back put James Bell into space before racing through in support to finish the move.
All of a sudden, the Rhinos were rocking. Lachie Miller kicked the restart out on the full and was punished, Amir Bourouh scampering out of dummy-half and finding an offload to put Ligi Sao over.
Zak Hardaker kicked his third goal after Leeds were penalised for dissent to give Hull a 12-point lead – but it was wiped out before the break.
After struggling to apply pressure with their kicking game, the Rhinos produced two gems to turn the match on its head.
Their first try owed to a perfectly weighted kick by Miller, the ball bouncing straight into the hands of James McDonnell who did the rest.
And Leeds were level when Brodie Croft finished Ash Handley's deft dab through and Connor converted.
The half ended as it started with a Connor penalty after Chris Hankinson was taken high, completing the swift comeback.
But the interval allowed Hull to reset and rediscover their poise. They dominated the early stages of the second half and quickly restored their two-score advantage.
Hardaker booted two penalties to punish more Leeds ill-discipline and edge the Black and White back in front before Davy Litten got on the end of John Asiata's classy left-footed kick. Once again, Hardaker made no mistake from the tee.
Miller produced a try-saving tackle on Cade Cust and Leeds had another let-off when Brad Fash was denied by the video referee.
Having struggled for territory, the Rhinos found a second wind to apply some belated pressure.
But they continued to force passes in an error-strewn display and knew the game was up after Connor's long-range penalty bounced back off the post.
Hull FC: Hardaker, Briscoe, Romano, Litten, Martin, Cust, Arthur, Hill, Bourouh, Sao, Bell, Bailey. Asiata. Substitutes: C Kemp, Fash, Laidlaw, Lisone.
Tries: Arthur (8), Sao (11), Litten (53).
Goals: Hardaker 6/6.
Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Sivo, Newman, Handley, Hankinson, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, Levi, Palasia, Watkins, McDonnell, Smith. Substitutes: Holroyd, Jenkins, O'Connor, Bird.
Tries: McDonnell (26), Croft (32).
Goals: Connor 4/5.
Referee: Liam Moore.