Rhinos come through Hull test
Danny McGuire helped his side to victory
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Saturday, 02, Feb 2008 08:25
Super League champions Leeds Rhinos had to fight hard to claim a 20-12 win over Hull KR at Headingley this evening.
The home side looked to be heading for a surprising defeat in the first match of the new season as they trailed 12-4 in the second-half. But two late tries from winger Lee Smith and another from Danny McGuire saw the Rhinos home.
Leeds got off to the best possible start to the defence of their title as Scott Donald got on to the end of a pass from Keith Senior to over the try-line and give his side the lead.
But the visitors hit back almost immediately as replacement Ben Cockayne brilliantly burst through the Leeds defence and passed to debutant Jake Webster to cross over for Hull KR. Webster added the two points to give his side the lead.
The game really burst into life in the second-half and it looked as if Leeds would be the team to score as they put early pressure on Hull. But they were hit on the counter-attack and the exciting Webster used his pace to run from the halfway line to score his second try.
As Hull stretched their lead to 12-4 with by adding the two points as a result of the try, they seemed on course for a famous win. But Leeds hit back and Great Britain international McGuire was instrumental in the comeback.
McGuire instigated a cross-field move which resulted in Smith diving in the corner to score his first try. The stand-off then kicked a high ball into the Hull defence and Ben Gallea fumbled and Smith took advantage to score and give his side a 14-12 lead.
Leeds made the points secure as McGuire used his strength to burst through the Hull defence to score a deserved try.