Hull FC 22 Leeds Rhinos 40 - Winger Ash Handley’s hat-trick leaves Hull FC all at sea

Jack's back: Jack Walker scored his second try against Hull in his second game back after a long injury lay-off. Picture Bruce Rollinson

A HAT-TRICK from winger Ash Handley helped Leeds Rhinos to a 40-22 win over Hull at Emerald Headingley last night to keep their Betfred Super League top-four hopes alive.

Leeds began poorly, making a succession of errors and going 10-0 down, but - once they started to complete their sets - hit back strongly to lead 16-10 at the break.

Brad Dwyer’s introduction off the bench, along with Luke Gale’s class, was a major factor in Rhinos’ turnaround and the hooker again tormented Hull at the start of the second half as Leeds opened an 18-point gap.

At that stage it looked like Leeds were running away with it, but Hull stormed back to cut the gap to just six early in the final quarter.

Happy Jack: Jack Walker celebrates his second try.
Picture Bruce Rollinson — Happy Jack: Jack Walker celebrates his second try. Picture Bruce Rollinson

It was suddenly game on, but Rhinos kept their composure and a couple more tries saw them to a convincing and deserved win.

It was a good game and a decent effort from both teams, particularly in the circumstances.

Hull, the ‘home’ side took the game at less than 24 hours’ notice after Castleford Tigers were unable to raise a team, while Rhinos looked weary after their Coral Challenge Cup semi-final win over Wigan only five days earlier.

Rhinos were close to their likely Wembley lineup - injuries, coronavirus and match review panel permitting - but the interesting selection was Jack Walker at full-back for only his second game since suffering a fractured foot in February.

Twisting over: James Donaldson gets the ball down to score Rhinos' fourth try.
Picture Bruce Rollinson — Twisting over: James Donaldson gets the ball down to score Rhinos' fourth try. Picture Bruce Rollinson

Richie Myler switched to stand-off in place of Rob Lui who the club say has a “minor injury”.

Walker, having got 40 minutes under his belt against Catalans Dragons last week, started shakily, but then scored two tries in the first half and created another.

It was Myler’s first game in the halves this year and he wasn’t as effective as he has been at full-back. An early yellow card didn’t help.

The only other change to Leeds’ semi-final side was Bodene Thompson’s inclusion in place of Alex Mellor in the second-row.

Treble: Winger Ash Handley scored a hat-trick of tries. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Mellor took a bang to the ribs last week, but is expected to be for for Wembley when Thompson is cup-tied.

Early on, Leeds struggled to get any grip on the game and Hull took advantage.

Rhinos received three penalties in the opening 10 minutes and wasted all of them, through errors by Kruise Leeming, Myler and Walker.