Rhinos hold off spirited Hull

Ryan Hall dives over for opening try

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Leeds Rhinos took full advantage of St Helens surprise loss at Salford on Friday to close the gap on the Super League leaders to just two points with a 43-30 victory at Hull FC.

Indeed, the Rhinos looked to be on course for an even more convincing triumph as they pulled 30-6 ahead during a one-sided first half in which Keith Senior - making his 500th appearance - scored one of five tries for the visitors.

But Hull rallied in the second period and after a much improved showing even closed to within seven points with Mike Burnett's converted try ten minutes from time.

But a late Lee Smith try settled any Leeds nerves as the Rhinos notched their fourth straight win and a seventh from their last eight games.

Despite being without the services of injured playmaker Danny McGuire, Leeds made a stunning start as Ryan Hall touched down twice in the opening eight minutes to put Brian McClennan's men in charge.

The winger's first cam courtesy of a pass from Senior although there was a slight suspicion he put a foot in touch as he powered over in the corner.

His second again involved Senior and also Sinfield who not only set up the move with a fine 40-20 kick, but also converted both tries from difficult angles.

Hull did fight back when Shaun Berrigan bulldozed over for a try which was converted by Danny Tickle, but it proved a brief respite as Leeds again came on strong with three further tries to put themselves in total control.

Special moment for Senior

Senior was first to cross the whitewash as he swept past the challenge of Graeme Horne to score his 230th career try, while Scott Donald produced a clinical finish in the other corner following a slick pass from Ashley Gibson.

Sinfield converted both and then notched a try of his own as he was on hand to receive Rob Burrow's pass following a quick break before outpacing the final defender to dive over in the corner.

His successful kick made the scoreline 30-6 and Hull looked in danger of being humiliated, although Tickle's try and conversion five minutes before the break did reduce the arrears.

But when Gibson sped over four minutes after the break with Sinfield adding yet another superlative conversion, it seemed a matter of how many points Leeds fancied.

But from nowhere Hull launched a stirring fightback with Gareth Raynor diving over for his third score in four games after racing on to Berrigan's expertly-weighted kick ahead.

Kirk Yeaman then reduced the arrears to 36-24 as he burst on to Paul King's flat pass to push past a couple of tacklers to the line.

With Leeds clearly rattled, they were forced to defend their line to keep the rampant hosts at bay and having manoeuvred themselves down the other end of the pitch were happy to take a burrow drop-goal to put themselves three scores clear.

It looked valuable insurance as Burnett crept over for Hull's fifth try, but Smith finally put the game to bed as he stormed on to a short pass to score next to the posts late on.