By IAN JUDSON
HULL FC claimed a true statement victory to end their season and send retiring legend Tom Briscoe out on a massive high.
Three tries – all from young academy products – and a gutsy defensive display saw the Black & Whites send their rapturous supporters into a hugely exciting off-season with a massive collective grin.
Hull turned up with something of a fringe team, including players out of position and they simply dumbfounded everybody with a display that was absolutely full of character.
Interim coach Andy Last sprang a surprise by naming teenager Lloyd Kemp at hooker and back rower Connor Bailey in the halves for the visit to AMT Headingley.
Tom Briscoe returned to the starting line-up for his final game of a stellar career against his former side, with Zak Hardaker returning on the bench for his final game before he moves to York Knights.
Aidan Sezer and Amir Bourouh missed out with the club captain expected to move on in the off season, while the diminutive hooker has already had a move to Catalans Dragons confirmed.
Leeds were straight on the front foot as the kick off was allowed to bounce into touch, but a knock-on by Chris Hankinson wasted the opportunity.
Leeds forced a goal line drop out when Harvey Barron was caught behind his own line from a Jake Connor kick, but the chance was dealt with as Barron forced Maika Sivo into touch.
Leeds next attack attracted another kick from Connor, but Jack Bird failed to ground the ball in the in-goal area.
Both times continued to blow chances as Davy Litten failed to catch a pass from Romano at one end and an attempted pass to Sivo going into touch within a minute of each other.
A captain’s challenge by Hull gave them a penalty for a ball steal deep in the Leeds half, but the gilt edged chance was just not capitalised on.
A soft penalty put the Black & Whites into enemy territory and they took an unlikely lead as an offload by Tom Briscoe was gobbled up by Logan Moy to score, Lloyd Kemp added the goal.
Leeds were clearly stung into action by that shock and a penalty in Hull’s danger zone promised much, but Jake Arthur picked Ash Handley’s pocket to steal possession at close quarters.
Finally the home side got on the board as Chris Hankinson forced his way over from dummy half, Jake Connor levelled the score with the boot.
Hull were being putting under increasing pressure again as half time moved into sight, but resolute defending continued to frustrate the home side.
Another goal line drop out was kicked short by Arthur and captain for the night Briscoe reclaimed possession from it.
A silly penalty put the Rhinos in Hull’s half and they forced another drop out as Lewis Martin claimed a Connor kick.
There were more incidents, including Leeds captain Ash Handley having to leave the field for a head injury assessment after he collided with Zak Hardaker, but the Airlie Birds reached half time all square.
Hull started the second half in much the same way as they spent most of the opening 40 minutes, having to return the ball from their own end.
A questionable penalty put the home side in dangerous position again and Lloyd Kemp had to deal with a grubber kick.
From the resulting drop out Hull once again reclaimed possession, but then Hugo Salabio was unlucky to be judged to have lost the ball.
Hull forced the home side into back to back drop outs and from the second one, Kemp pounced to score his first Betfred Super League try, then improved it with his boot.
Leeds were immediately placed on the attack as the restart was allowed to reach touch and subsequently, more committed defence held them at bay.
A set restart put Leeds in prime position yet again, but a desperate wide pass from Brodie Croft went over the top of Ryan Hall and into touch, attracting howls of derision from the home fans.
Another Leeds kick forced Hull into another goal line drop out and yet more heroic defending frustrated the home side and another wayward pass disappeared into touch.
Leeds thought they had got a precious score as Jack Bird grabbed the ball from a kick, but it was ruled out because Connor had knocked the ball forward in the process.
Another fantastic attack from the Airlie Birds saw Lennon Clark cause wild celebrations among the Old Faithful as he dived under the posts, Kemp added the extras for a 12-point lead.
Finally Leeds troubled the scorers as time was running out with Kallum Watkins grabbing a try that was goaled by Connor with two minutes remaining on the clock.
Another desperate effort from the Rhinos saw Bird attempt a ridiculous pass which simply went to ground as Hull completed a famous league double.
