Key Points
- Hull FC defeated Leeds Rhinos 18-12 at AMT Headingley Stadium in the final round of the 2026 Betfred Super League season on Friday night.
- Tries from young talents Logan Moy, Lloyd Kemp, and Lennon Clark secured the victory for the Black & Whites.
- Leeds Rhinos missed out on claiming the League Leaders’ Shield following the home defeat.
- Hull FC head coach Andy Last made four changes to his matchday squad, missing Aidan Sezer (foot), Ligi Sao (HIA), Amir Bourouh, and Sam Lisone (personal reasons).
- Veterans Tom Briscoe and Zak Hardaker featured in what marked a gritty end to the club’s domestic campaign.
- Leeds scorers included Chris Hankinson and Kallum Watkins, with Jake Connor adding two conversions.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) September 12, 2026 — Hull FC wrapped up their 2026 Betfred Super League campaign on a positive note with a memorable 18-12 victory over Leeds Rhinos at Headingley. As reported by Daniel Tomlinson of the Hull Daily Mail, the Black & Whites produced a gritty performance to silence their critics as 9/1 underdogs, securing a rare Super League double over their Yorkshire rivals.
What Happened During the Clash Between Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC?
The match began with early opportunities for the home side inside the opening minute, when Jake Connor attempted to send Chris Hankinson through a gap, only for the pass to be overcooked. Minutes later, Maika Sivo was bundled into touch by the Hull defence. As detailed in the official club match report, Leeds thought they had scored after ten minutes when Jack Bird chased down a kick, but the video referee ruled he could not cleanly ground the ball.
Hull responded when Arthur Romano broke the line from deep, though his pass to Davy Litten was too strong. The breakthrough came a quarter of the way through the game.
The ball was shifted from right to left, where Tom Briscoe held up play superbly to find Logan Moy, who darted through a gap at pace to score.
Lloyd Kemp added the conversion. Leeds hit back before the interval when a piledriving effort from Chris Hankinson put the hosts on the board, converted by Jake Connor, leaving the half-time score tied at 6-6.
How Did Hull FC Seal the Victory in the Second Half?
Leeds applied early pressure after the restart, but Hull’s defensive resolve held firm under pressure from Brodie Croft and Tom Holroyd. Capitalising on a drop-out error where the ball appeared not to travel ten metres, Kemp scooped up possession and wove through the defence to score and convert his own try.
Despite heavy pressure from Brad Arthur’s side, including missed opportunities by Ryan Hall out wide and a disallowed try for Bird due to a knock-on, Hull extended their lead against the run of play.
Tom Briscoe managed to offload under pressure to Zak Hardaker, who sent Lennon Clark over under the posts. Although Kallum Watkins replied with a converted try for Leeds with two minutes remaining, Hull successfully defended the subsequent sets to seal the two points.
What Were the Reactions from the Camp Following the Match?
Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of his side’s performances, Hull FC head coach Andy Last admitted to BBC Radio Humberside, as highlighted by Serious About Rugby League, that consistency remains the primary challenge heading into 2027.
As noted by Last:
“I’m scratching my head. Honestly, the first 40 minutes against Toulouse, in comparison to the first 40 minutes in this game, it’s like two completely different teams and the challenge for us as a coaching staff next year is we’ve got to get a level of consistency from week to week but also from game to game and day to day.”
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Background of the Particular Development
The fixture marked the conclusion of the 2026 Super League regular season, carrying significant implications for both clubs. For Leeds Rhinos, the defeat proved costly as it ended their ambitions of securing the League Leaders’ Shield. For Hull FC, the match served as the final chapter of a difficult domestic campaign that had seen severe inconsistency, notably following a heavy defeat away to Toulouse Olympique just a week prior.
The game also represented a ceremonial passing of the torch and emotional farewells, most notably for veteran winger Tom Briscoe, who bowed out from professional rugby league following a storied career, alongside upcoming squad restructuring under incoming personnel for the subsequent season.
Prediction on How This Development Can Affect the Fans and Club
Ending the season with an away victory against a high-calibre opponent like Leeds provides the Hull FC fan base and coaching staff with much-needed psychological relief and optimism heading into the off-season. Supporters have endured a turbulent year marked by erratic displays and heavy losses, but the standout performances of younger players like Logan Moy, Lloyd Kemp, and Lennon Clark demonstrate a viable pathway for squad regeneration.
For the supporters, this gritty display restores faith in the club’s defensive identity and youth integration. While structural inconsistencies must be addressed during the upcoming pre-season, finishing on a high gives the community confidence as the club transitions towards its next developmental phase under incoming management.
