Super League match report: Hull FC beat Leeds Rhinos 18-6
Early tries from Joe Westerman and Ben Crooks helped in-form Hull FC to an 18-6 home success over Leeds Rhinos.
Last Updated: 01/06/13 10:45am
Westerman touch downed within the first two minutes at the KC Stadium after collecting a one-handed offload from Crooks.
When Jamie Jones-Buchanan was penalised for infringement, Daniel Holdsworth added a penalty goal for an eight-point home advantage.
Crooks then finished off a spectacular 70-metre score started by Tom Lineham to make it 12-0 inside the first twelve minutes of the game as Hull blew away the champions early on.
The try came after Lineham rose above England international winger Ryan Hall to collect Kevin Sinfield's high kick and he raced up field to provide the pass for Crooks.
Kirk Yeaman missed out on a score to put the hosts further ahead but Danny Houghton crossed from dummy-half just before the break to land the killer third try for the dominant Black and Whites.
While Brett Delaney ran in a second half consolation try for the Rhinos, the hosts held on to make it nine wins out of ten in all competitions and avenge a 36-6 defeat to Leeds on the opening night of the season.
The win saw Hull leapfrog Leeds into the top four for the first time this season, with the champions, who have two games in hand, now sitting in fifth after slumping to a fourth straight league and cup defeat.
The visitors' main worry will now be the fitness of two key players in Kallum Watkins and Danny McGuire, who left the field with injuries during the game.
Watkins suffered a nasty looking ankle injury as he was brought down close to the line in the first period.
Then in the second-half, McGuire suffered a knee injury which left him visibly distressed and unable to continue.
Undeterred, a committed Leeds tried to force their way back into the game, and when Liam Sutcliffe broke the line with an excellent run his pass allowed Delaney to score in the corner.
Sinfield converted to close the gap to twelve but Hull held on regardless to continue their impressive run of results.