Scott Taylor's barging late try saw Hull maintain their 100 per cent winning start - and heap pressure on Leeds.
The veteran ex-England prop twisted over in the 74th minute, shortly after Rhinos thought they’d grabbed victory with David Fusitu’a’s effort. It meant Hull boss Tony Smith has two wins from two but his opposite number and nephew Rohan is yet to get off the mark for struggling Rhinos. His side were left red-faced after blowing two gilt-edged chances beforehand.
Cameron Smith broke clear only to pass to Hull centre Cameron Scott and then Blake Austin spilled with the line begging after Ash Handley had got free, too. It proved so costly. Hull had extended their interval lead to 16-6 in the 48th minute. Jordan Lane sent Josh Griffin charging through the middle on halfway and Adam Swift rounded off impressively for Jake Clifford to convert.
But French prop Justin Sangare came off the bench to set up Kruise Leeming and Leeds - walloped 42-10 at Warrington in last week's opener - should have got home from there only to make two huge gaffes. Earlier, Hull struck first when Fusitu'a spilled a high kick to gift them a chance. Slick handling from Ben McNamara and then Jake Clifford saw Scott charge over in the 13th minute.
Leeds looked clueless with the ball. They got a penalty in front of Hull’s posts but barged up five times before Kruise Leeming was denied trying to go himself on the last tackle. But they did find enough cohesion to respond in the 20th minute. Big three-quarters Fusitu'a and debutant Nene Macdonald got them away from their own end before Cameron Smith dummied over, making the most of Joe Lovodua’s poor attempted tackle.
Rhyse Martin converted and Clifford sailed the restart into touch to put Rhinos straight back on the front foot. Smith looked like getting his second try but McNamara and Jordan Lane doubled up to deny him and then Leeming cot collared again. Chris Satae caused Leeds all sorts of trouble with his powerful charges.
One of those helped set up Liam Sutcliffe for a try on his first return to Headingley, Clifford again with the final pass in the 27th minute. Clifford nailed the touchline conversion before Leeds lost Morgan Gannon to a HIA. Kane Evans had an effort ruled out by the video referee after another storming surge from Tonga prop Satae.
Aidan Sezer came up with a 40/20 for Leeds but it again amounted to nothing. As it did for his side at the end as well.
