MATCH REPORT | Hull FC | ROUND 21

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MATCH REPORT | Hull FC | ROUND 21

Betfred Super League Round 21

Leopards Den, Sunday 11 August 2024 (3pm)

Leigh Leopards 42-12 Hull FC

Kai O’Donnell’s four try haul led Leopards’ victory charge to keep their Betfred Super League play-off hopes alive on a hot and sunny afternoon at the Leopards Den.

O’Donnell has been in outstanding form all season and finally got the individual accolades his string of superbly consistent performances deserved, named as Sky and club sponsor player of the match.

He became the first Leigh player to score four tries in a Super League match and only the fourth Leigh forward to score four tries in a match in the summer era. Cory Paterson, Simon Baldwin and Andrew Isherwood are the others.

Hull’s young side, with squad numbers now into the 50s, fought back from 12-0 down to tie the scores at the interval, just reward for a tenacious effort which bodes well for the future.

But Leopards dominated the second half as they attacked the packed North Stand, scoring six tries without reply.

Zak Hardaker’s first try of a brace was his 100^th Super League try and his 150^th career try while Darnell McIntosh’s finish by the flag was a good way to celebrate his 150^th Super League appearance.

Local lad Frankie Halton scoring his first try for the Leopards in his 24^th appearance for the club was another highlight.

Leopards dominated the first half hour but lacked cohesion and penetration in attack until referee Jack Smith sin-binned Will Gardiner, the latest Hull player to slow down the ruck.

Almost immediately O’Donnell seized on a loose ball and cut through to score his first try, McIntosh kicking the first of his three goals.

Leopards earned that rarity- a scrum win against the feed- as they piled on the pressure. Tom Amone, twice, and Edwin Ipape went close, and the visitors were back to their full complement when Lachlan Lam’s delicious short ball sent Halton racing over for his try, McIntosh tagging on the goal.

From nowhere Hull launched their first serious attack, Carlos Tuimavave’s searing midfield break setting up the supporting Logan Moy for a fine try.

Then Harbey Barron crossed in the corner and with Jack Charles adding both conversions, the second off a post, the visitors went in level at the break.

McIntosh had been sin-binned for an alleged tip tackle and Leopards were still short-handed when O’Donnell reacted first to Lam’s kick to regain the lead for his side.

Lam and O’Donnell then combined superbly for Hardaker to score his landmark try, McIntosh adding the goal.

Though Owen Trout became the second Leopards player to earn a yellow card, for an alleged high tackle, the home side were dominant now.

John Asiata and Lam, with a perfect lofted pass, gave McIntosh his opening and a try against his former club.

Then Lam’s bouncing kick was judged perfectly for O’Donnell to score his first senior hat-trick.

Asiata sent O’Donnell bursting over for his fourth try, converted by Hardaker. McIntosh’s lung bursting 70 metre run set up the position for Hardaker’s second try, again converted, as the large Leopards crowd celebrated their entertaining Sunday afternoon in the sunshine.

Leopards

3 Zak Hardaker; 34 Darnell McIntosh, 24 Umyla Hanley, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Josh Charnley; 12 Jack Hughes, 7 Lachlan Lam; 8 Tom Amone, 9 Edwin Ipape, 10 Robbie Mulhern, 11 Kai O’Donnell, 16 Frankie Halton, 13 John Asiata (capt)

Bench:

33 Brad Dwyer, 15 Matt Davis, 35 Aaron Pene, 17 Owen Trout. 18^th player: 36 Bailey Hodgson (not used)

Tries: O’Donnell (18, 45, 68, 72), Halton (30), Hardaker (51, 79), McIntosh (63)

Goals:

McIntosh 3/ 5, Hardaker 2/ 3

Sin Bin:

McIntosh (37), Trout (59)

Hull FC

37 Logan Moy; 25 Harvey Barron, 3 Carlos Tuimavave, 44 Tom Briscoe, 26 Lewis Martin; 31 Jack Walker, 40 Jack Charles; 8 Herman Ese’ese, 19 Morgan Smith, 45 Yusuf Aydin, 48 Jed Cartwright, 51 Leon Ruan, 21 Will Gardiner

Bench:

27 Zach Jebson, 28 Denive Balmforth, 46 Tiaki Chan, 52 Sam Eseh. 18^th player Will Kirby (not used)

Tries:

Moy (34), Barron (38)

Goals:

Charles 2/ 2

Sin bin: Gardiner (21)

Scoring sequence:

6-0, 12-0, 12-6, 12-12 (ht) 16-12, 22-12, 26-12, 30-12, 36-12, 42-12

Attendance: 8,400

Referee: Jack Smith; Touch judges: L Rush & A Cameron; MC: A Brown; Reserve referee: J Greenhalgh; Timekeeper: K Leyland; Video referee: T Grant

Penalty count: 7-5