Hull 24 Leeds 19: Logan’s run sees Horne end in style at Hull to stun Rhinos
Leeds looked on course to end a run of four straight league defeats after taking a 19-4 lead just before the hour mark but the Airlie Birds came roaring back to ensure the Rhinos head into next weekend’s play-off meeting with Catalan Dragons smarting from another loss.
Carl Ablett was the star of the first half – denying Richard Horne on his 387th and final appearance for the Black and Whites before going over himself to cancel out Tom Lineham’s 16th-minute opener.
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Hide AdLeeds lifted their game after the restart as Danny McGuire, returning from injury alongside Rob Burrow, scored a trademark try and Ryan Hall displayed his strength to score his 200th career touchdown.
Ex-Leeds forward Gareth Ellis reduced the arrears and then laid on a try for Fetuli Talanoa as the Airlie Birds’ comeback gathered momentum.
Logan ensured a nervy final 10 minutes for the Rhinos and the pressure proved too much as the 19-year-old centre won it for Hull.
Moments of quality were few and far between during a dire first half.
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Hide AdZak Hardaker lost the ball and he was duly punished as Logan picked up and gave Lineham a simple score in the corner.
Then came a moment which the Hull faithful had been waiting for, Horne with open field in front of him and with the line at his mercy. Ablett did not read the script and chased the half-back from deep inside his own half before executing a perfectly-timed ankle tap close to his own line.
The England man made a vital contribution at the other end three minutes from the break, taking a pass from Burrow and powering his way over.
Kevin Sinfield landed the conversion and slotted over a drop goal on the hooter to give Leeds a three-point cushion at the break.
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Hide AdMcGuire was on hand to finish off after Watkins had pounced on a loose ball; Sinfield added the extras but missed a penalty.
Leeds crossed after quick hands from McGuire and Liam Sutcliffe created the space for Hall to finish in the corner.
Hull needed to score quickly and they did through Ellis, who hacked on a Kirk Yeaman grubber kick with his knee before pouncing. Ellis then turned provider with an offload to Talanoa close to the Leeds line and the Hull fans raised the volume inside the KC Stadium sensing a memorable fightback, which was well and truly on when Logan took Lineham’s pass to score.
Rankin sent over his first conversion at the fourth attempt to make it a one-point game.
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Hide AdHull kept pushing, roared on by their vociferous supporters, and they got a moment to savour as Logan slid over in the corner.
Hull FC: Rankin, Lineham, Logan, Yeaman, Talanoa, Heremaia, Horne, Watts, Houghton, Paea, Ellis, Thompson, Westerman. Substitutes: Green, Hadley, Cunningham, Bowden.
Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Briscoe, Watkins, Sutcliffe, Hall, Sinfield, McGuire, Singleton, Aiton, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Delaney. Substitutes: Burrow, Leuluai, Kirke, Achurch.
Referee: T Roby (RFL).