Leeds Rhinos Reserves Crush Hull FC 66-4 To Reach Semi-Finals, Leeds 2026

Key Points

• Emphatic Victory: Leeds Rhinos Reserves secured a place in the reserves competition semi-finals following a dominant 66-4 victory over Hull FC Reserves.
• First-Half Blitz: Chev Walker’s side mounted a 44-0 lead by half-time, running in eight tries without reply during a blistering opening 40 minutes.
• Key Squad Returns and Additions: Oscar Brown returned for his first match since April, scoring an early try, whilst dual-registration arrivals Finley Yates and Charlie Glover (Salford RLFC) and Siddal RLFC forward Josh Milnes made team appearances.
• Standout Performers: Half-back Harry Smith directed play with two tries and three assists, hooker Elliot Fox scored twice, winger Callum Webster bagged a brace, and first-teamer Jeremiah Mata’utia scored two second-half tries.
• Hull FC Consolation: Lennon Clark scored Hull FC’s lone try early in the second half to avoid a shut-out.
• Next Stage: Leeds await completion of the remaining weekend fixtures to discover their semi-final opponents.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) August 13, 2026 – How did Leeds Rhinos Reserves respond to their recent league defeat to book a place in the reserves competition semi-finals? Chev Walker’s Leeds Rhinos Reserves produced a commanding 12-try performance to dismantle Hull FC Reserves 66-4, bouncing back in resolute fashion from their prior 28-14 loss against Wakefield Trinity. Delivering an eight-try, 44-0 first-half masterclass, the Rhinos established total control early in the encounter before adding four further tries after the interval to seal a comprehensive victory and advance to the semi-final stage.

How Did the First-Half Blitz Unfold for Leeds Rhinos Reserves?

The return of Oscar Brown, playing his first fixture since April, provided an immediate boost to the Leeds attack. Brown opened the scoring early on before setting up half-back Harry Smith, who crossed the line for the Rhinos’ second try. Full-back Harley Thomas converted the second attempt, giving the home side a 10-0 advantage inside the opening 12 minutes.

Leeds continued to press their advantage through fluid play around the ruck. Hooker Elliot Fox linked effectively with Smith to score under the posts. Shortly afterwards, Brown made another decisive break, allowing Smith to deliver his second assist of the match by sending winger Callum Webster over in the left corner. A successful conversion from Thomas doubled the Rhinos’ lead to 20-0 within 20 minutes.

How Did Dylan Hutchinson, Jacob Stead, and Elliot Fox Complete the First-Half Scoring?

Directly from the restart, first-team forward Jeremiah Mata’utia produced an offload to set up Dylan Hutchinson for a try. Smith then crossed for his second try of the match just two minutes later, rapidly moving the scoreboard to 32-0.

Jacob Stead, who recently signed a professional first-team contract with the club, added his name to the scoresheet after running onto a short pass from Smith, marking the playmaker’s third assist of the half. At this juncture, Brown was substituted as part of a pre-planned strategy to manage his workload upon return from injury.

Before the break, winger Riley Lumb offloaded to send Fox over for his second try of the half. Thomas added the conversion, sending Leeds into the half-time break with a 44-0 lead.

How Did Hull FC Respond and How Did Leeds Finish the Match?

Despite the heavy first-half deficit, Hull FC started the second period with renewed energy. Lennon Clark, who earned his Super League debut earlier this season, breached the Leeds right-edge defence to score a try, ensuring the visitors avoided a total shut-out.

How Did Jeremiah Mata’utia and Wade White Seal the 66-4 Scoreline?

It took Leeds over 20 minutes to break through in the second period, but Mata’utia re-established control by overpowering the Hull FC defence for a try. Thomas converted to take the score past the half-century mark at 50-4 with 15 minutes remaining.

Minutes later, Webster secured his second try of the evening as Leeds regained their first-half momentum. Wade White, who had completed 80 minutes for the Leeds Academy the previous evening, then scored under the posts following a line-break by Fox, elevating the scoreline to 60-4.

Mata’utia concluded the scoring with an impressive individual effort. Collecting the ball 30 metres out, he showed speed and power to evade multiple defenders and break through three tackles to score. Thomas kicked the final conversion to complete the 66-4 victory.

Complete Team Line-ups

• Starting Line-up: Harley Thomas, Callum Webster, Oscar Brown, Neil Qareqare, Riley Lumb, Dylan Hutchinson, Harry Smith, Butterfield, Elliot Fox, Jeremiah Mata’utia, Smart, Jacob Stead, Nicholson-Watton.
• Interchanges: Finley Yates, Charlie Glover, Josh Milnes, Wade White.

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What Is the Background to Leeds Rhinos Reserves’ Recent Form and Progression?

The victory marks a significant recovery for Chev Walker’s side following a setback against Wakefield Trinity, where they suffered a 28-14 defeat. The response highlighted the depth of the squad, supported by key returns and temporary squad additions.

The match saw the return of centre Oscar Brown following an injury layoff extending back to April, alongside the inclusion of dual-registration players Finley Yates and Charlie Glover from Championship side Salford RLFC. Additionally, Siddal RLFC forward Josh Milnes earned a call-up to feature in the forward pack, alongside senior exposure for first-team squad members such as Jeremiah Mata’utia.

The triumph ensures Leeds Rhinos Reserves remain in contention for silverware as they move into the playoff phase of the reserves competition.

How Will This Decisive Semi-Final Qualification Impact the Team and Supporters Moving Forward?

This victory places Leeds Rhinos Reserves in a strong position heading into the reserves competition semi-finals. The integration of dual-registration personnel, returning senior prospects, and academy players demonstrated the squad’s capability to deliver high-margin victories under match pressure.

For the coaching staff, the performance provides encouragement regarding player development and recovery management, notably demonstrated by Oscar Brown’s multi-try contribution during his managed return.

For the club’s supporters and player pathway development, reaching the semi-finals reinforces the strength of the club’s reserve setup. Leeds will now monitor the remaining weekend fixtures to confirm their upcoming semi-final opponent and fixture details.