Semi-Final: Hull FC v Leeds Rugby League: Challenge Cup

We have to do something... LAUGHTER

Oh my word! Welcome to a soldout Keepmoat

Stadium in South Yorkshire, today it is east Yorkshire versus West

Yorkshire as Hull FC take on the Leeds Rhinos in the chalg Cup

semifinal. Hull are of course the current Cup holders having shaken

off that never winning at Wembley by beating Warrington last year. This

is a lucky venue for them. The last two occasions they've played a

semifinal here they've won. Leeds lifted the Challenge Cup in 2014 and

2015 and have won in their last Fitch semifinals after a disastrous

2016 they are well and truly back. It's all set up for a fantastic

match. This is how our weekend pans out. We

will be with you here today until 4. 30 and then on to the red button

until 5pm. Tomorrow we move to Warrington where Wigan meet Salford

to determine who faces today's winners in the final at Wembley on

August 26th. It will of course be live here on the BBC.

I am delighted to say we What is the rivalry like? It's huge.

The next team that FC like to beat is Leeds. Hull FC think they're the

best team in east Yorkshire. Leeds think they're the best in west, both

think they're the best in Yorkshire. These are two really evenly matched

teams. They are. It starts with both forward packs, it always does. An

extra front rower gets it starting so well. What's going to be the key

today? Good question. Hull have a big team. Keeping possession and

keeping their energy is very, very important. Kicking the ball will be

important. If they're going to go through the process we think we are

which we will explain. For Leeds, they have to move the ball a little

bit more and tire out these big players Hull have. It's maybe a

contrast in styles. It will be the subtlies that separate the two. The

teams are coming out. The noise as they're coming out, it's not even

full yet, it's going to be something. This game's going to be

huge. Two exciting teams and want to get to Wembley. Two teams that fancy

their chance if they can get thu of winning at Wembley, they've both

ambition. Let's show you how evenly matched they are by showing you the

Super League table coming into this after the regular season. Leeds are

sitting in second place. Hull into third with a win over Huddersfield

in the final round of games. Today is all about the Challenge

Cup. And retaining the trophy they won spectacularly last season. Dave

Woods has been talking to local lad Scott Taylor.

MUSIC First of all, how much does this

mean, this match, this semifinal, how much are you looking forward to

it? It's definitely a big one, one obviously you have been counting the

days from when it's been drawn to have a Yorkshire derby against Leeds

at Doncaster, it will be bouncing, it's a tight walk. You play Rugby

League. Good atmosphere last year. First time I played at Doncaster,

obviously it's joined on top here, the 11,000 FC fans that there were

it was ridiculous, the loudness of it, it was louder than probably

actually at Wembley. I just remember in that second half the spell of

about five minutes near the end, holding on. You can normally block

out the crowd but the constant noise was unbelievable. You have a special

anthem with old faithful as well. # Old faithful... I was a kid singing

it in the crowds growing up with my family. Now being on the back end of

that, being a player out there and when you wear that and see the old

faithful doing it, it's a special feeling. That final last year, what

did it mean to be part of that historic side? Everything to me

personally. Obviously signing with my home town team coming back home

and the main goal as much as people was to get rid of that song... It

was old faithful you will never win at Wembley was the old version. It

was all about, let's get that out of the way. The main goal, let's win

the Challenge Cup and to have a chance to have done that and go

there and be part of the first team to win at Wembley and obviously the

people up there, that hit me the most. People who have left me when

you would have loved to have been there on the day. Obviously having

them looking down and knowing your family and mum, dad, everyone there

and what it meant to them personally because they've supported all these

years and to be out there playing a part of that team and to see them

after the game and their reaction, just full of emotions, everything.

It's definitely helped my career so far. -- highlight of my career.

Leeds they've done a number on you a couple of times. They've the X sign

on you. They do, they're a top team. They're a great team. If you don't

play well against them they're going to beat you. They've too much talent

in their team. We are confident we know what we can do and it was good

playing them a couple of weeks ago narrowly getting beaten but I think

we completed about 50% that day with the ball. Our defence has been

brilliant. We need to make sure we look after that ball, we can put

them under pressure and hopefully come out the back end of the game.

Have you got a tattoo for every trophy you have won? I am big but

not quite that big! Scott Taylor is a great - I got to work with him in

the England set-up, every side needs a player who can energise the lads,

he is also exceptional on the field, as well. Powerful ball carrier and

has great footwork, as well, makes him difficult to handle. Do you

think he stepped up going back to Hull and his home town? You can see

how much it means to him. I was fortunate to play for my home town,

Leeds Rhinos, I think that came across there in his interview.

Brian, Gareth Elis is back, why is he keen to Hull? He is their

talisman, that element of experience that when things are not quite going

right on the field, they look to the leader and that is Gareth Elis. He

is a good player as well, he can carry the ball, can come back

against the grain as we are seeing there. It's his inspiration on the

field that will be required today. Just on the back of that, he is a

top player. Great ball skills, really tough. Everything outside of

that, the influence that he has on the younger players in the group,

senior players, captain, those guys and the influence they have on

younger players or even players midway through their career, they

make you play better and keep you honest. He has been a fabulous

player wherever he has gone. Is there a gamble he might not be fully

fit or do you think you take the gamble because he is that important?

For his presence in the dressing room and talisman players deliver

their own individual performance but they expect great standards of

everybody else and everybody else will rise to that occasion and still

have the ability to get hold of the game in the scruff of the neck. He

will be understanding how to win it because he has been involved in big

games. The first 20, 30 minutes of this match are the key for Hull?

Yeah, completion in any game, any club game, big games, you want to be

completing earlier in the game and overall percentage of the game. It

has to be good. Just keeping it simple, as well. Hull did that

really well against Castleford. Got hold of the game in the first ten

minutes. Front loaded energy and bent the line backwards as they're

carrying the ball. It's something to look for at the start of the game.

They're bending and buckling the defensive lines which means it has

to retreat further. They're a running team here as we see. That's

hard to handle and it requires a high energy level from the defence.

It's really important, the old-fashioned possessions will be

crucial for Hull today to be successful. I think the kicking game

at the end of those sets, after contact. Defensive has to retreat.

The finish are really precise. It's either back-to-back set or if it's

not a back-to-back set the other team is playing the ball two to

three metres out from the line. When forwards are bending that line, it

gives you more room to play and you can do what you want. Again it's not

complicated. If you are making moves after contact, the others are

retreating, it's basic game planning and that set. But it zaps energy out

of the defensive team. Brian, take us through the Hull team today.

It's a formidable line-up. Local speedster Jamie Shaul in the back

three. Anything can happen with that guy

Kelly and kicking genius Marc Sneyd. No shortage of sides or utility on

the bench for Hull. Is that a technical term, big

boppers? Yeah, the coach goes, here comes the big boppers! Let's go and

meet a few. Robbie is with the Hull team. What a day we have in store

this afternoon. None more so for all these Hull FC fans. They seem to

have the share here in the stadium. Thinking back to the kwufl, just

over a month ago, one of the things I like about this Hull FC team is

what they were able to do against Castleford. They strangled them in

defence. We know they can score tries but one thing they took pride

in that weekend because I was speaking to their coach, saying they

took a lot of bride in strangling the defence of the Castleford

Tigers. That will be left up to guys like this, Mark Minichiello, Liam

Watts and Gareth Elis. Having a stretch here. I will see if I can

have a quick word. Gareth, how important is it to make sure you get

defence right today and stop the threat that is Leeds? Yeah, it's

really big asset of our game we need to improve on. They're full of

players that really challenge you in their offence and our defence. It's

something we will have to be on with this afternoon. Is it a matter of

being physical from the first minute? Yeah, that's part of our

game. We are a big set of forwards and we have to take it to theirs.

They play a lot. They play Rugby League to the highest level and we

have to match them in every department. Thank you very much.

Good luck. Damien Johnson has been talking to both of the coaches.

Brian, this Challenge Cup semifinal has been your focus for a while. You

rested a few players last time out. How ready are you for the big

occasion? Yeah, very ready. Looking forward to it. It will be a big

game. Semifinals are always nerve-racking 80 minutes' worth of

just desire and passion and everything. So, we are ready for a

big game. Gareth Elis is back, is he fully fit and how big a contribution

are you expecting from him, even at the age of 36? He is huge for the

rest of the people on the field, as well. He had a game in the reserves

a couple of weeks ago and wore some bruises there and obviously started

last week for us. This will be a step up in intensity for Gareth but

it's a challenge he is looking forward to. What do Hull have to get

right today they didn't get right in the two defeats to Leeds? We have to

take our opportunities when they arise, we have to make sure we are

clinical and that's semifinal football. They're usually cagey

affairs, very nervous, from both sets of players. So, the team that

takes opportunities usually come away with the spoils. You heard you

got married this week, congratulations. A Wembley

honeymoon? That will be nice. I was planning on going away at the end of

the year, as well, I will take them both. You have spoken about the

importance of the start. We saw Hull produce that against Castleford, why

is it important in a Challenge Cup tie? Because you never really get a

grip of it. Cup games in particular, but especially the semifinal,

there's so much at stake, if you lose it, there is almost a fear of

failure in most of the semifinals, and I don't think either team really

gets a grip of the game. The history of semifinals, the momentum swings

massively from team to team throughout most games, so if you

knocked a few points and get hold of a game to start with it puts you in

good stead. Years ago Leeds legends departed for pastures new and they

sealed their exit from Leeds fittingly by doing the treble. In

the last couple of weeks two more of the club's golden generation have

announced they're leaving at the end of the season. What a legacy they

leave behind. That zippy running style of his. And

he is scampering away! Borrow got his moment of glory! It's a

sensational try, there aren't many that can do that! Danny McGuire has

done it. You will be seeing a lot of him in the next few years. It's a

terrific try, thrilling from end to end.

Danny McGuire with a sensational take and he will break away. What

character and what pedigree and what a side.

Danny McGuire will be wearing the player mic for us this afternoon.

You know him so well, what's been special about him down the years?

Danny has been a magnificent player, him and Rob are two of the modern

greats of the game. Danny came on the scene as a try scorer, support

player but has developed into a general and also a guy who can set

up a lot of tries and create opportunities for people. He is a

chap player. A chap off the field. We are fortunate to have -- a

champion player. A champion off the field. We are looking forward to him

bringing leadership skills. The thing that stance out for me and

watching him score this try, is the amount of times he turns up at the

right time and scores the try. Do you think he was a little

underappreciated because he was playing alongside Kevin Sinfield are

to many years to maybe the outside world? Maybe to the outside world

but not amongst the dressing room. We fully preernted what a skilful

player he was and how committed he was to the team, the same with Rob.

They're two greats in my opinion. Rob has defied the critics

throughout his career at 5'5", he has been magnificent. Just change

his name to Wow Borrow. His desire and the size of the guy and his

character, he changed literally changes every game. As a coach and

opposition player when you are on the field the one thing you don't

want to see is Rob Burrow because you go oh-oh, things are going to

happen here. He truly is a great player of the modern era because of

the things he has done and 500-odd games he has played. For any young

kid who is told you are not big enough, not skilful enough, he is a

perfect example of you can do it with perseverance and belief in

yourself and played 500 games, a tough player, still has the speed

off the mark. He is a genuine loss for Leeds today. He is small in

stature but a giant in character and braveness. He is a good lad, as

well. There he is talking to our colleagues on BBC Radio 5 Live down

there. Is he somebody, sport is littered with people who will be

told they can't because they're either too big or too small for the

sport. He is a classic example of that, is that what made him the

player he is? Having worked with him for ten years, Rob always reacted

best to criticism and always felt he had a point to prove. I would say

with Rob definitely that is the case. With a number of players who

go on to succeed, that's what drives them, proving people wrong. Leeds

have changed this year. Joel Moon has moved. What difference has it

made to them. He is a great running. Any time they are inside the

opposition's 20, they're thinking run the ball and certainly inside

the opposition's ten. They're great runners of the ball, quick off the

mark, they're elusive, both have great fans. They're a huge threat

inside the opposition's 20. I think as well Joel Moon is the accidental

hero. This is luck not judgment? I think so. He took his opportunity.

His ability to score a try out of nothing gives Leeds that X Factor. I

think perhaps they missed. I think he has been in the top three

players. He should be up there for a nomination and may have a decisive

factor, his ability to score a try today. Is he one of those players

you don't quite know what he is going to do next and that makes him

so difficult? If he sees an opportunity or gap he is going to

run, that's his natural instinct because he is brilliant at running.

He also has the skill set to be able to play and pass and that's the

benefits of this Leeds team, they've a new dimension to their team

because of him. The atmosphere is building, it's getting noisier. Take

us through the Leeds team. Let's get their game plan and go

back down to Robbie. We are talking about this Leeds

Rhinos pack and the ability they've in the spine of the team with Danny

McGuire's experience and Joel Moon's X Factor. Look at Matt Parcell, one

of the smartest players in Super League. When he place the ball, gets

the ball, picks it up, he keeps his head swivelling, looks at all the

players and options to make sure he creates space for his players as he

is getting ready for it now. We will get across and see if we can get to

that man that we have been talking about.

He has been a bit of a newbie too to the position of standoff for the

Leeds Rhinos. I will see if I can have a quick word. How are

preparations going? We have had a big week, focussed on a few things

during the week, we have to start strong. They've talked about

starting strong, how important is the forwards to have a platform so

you can have space on the ball? Yeah, buddy, they've a big team.

Play down in their half, turn them around. Give us time with the ball

which will help us boys. All the best, good luck.

What are the last moments like, it's filling up here, it's noisy, what is

it like in the dressing room for the players? It's intense. You will have

been planning this game for three or four weeks. You have the

technicalities, now it's about the emotion and making sure everyone

nails the game plan and gets it right. I used to love these moments

before. This is what you get paid to do, play in a magnificent game and

get a chance to get to Wembley. Is there a difference in the experience

between the two, you younger players in a Leeds room who might not have

experienced something like this? As a young guy playing in these big

games, you are enthusiastic and want to get out there and show your

skills. Everyone is excited when you are young, playing big games, the

only way to get experience is by playing in big games. Hull probably

have the jump on it there. Brian McDer not is sitting there quietly

on his own, is the job down by now? He might offer the odd of wisdom to

the odd player, they've been planning for a month. Both coaches

have mentioned the start, hugely important today, the start for both

teams. Leeds would like to be at 0-0 maybe after 20 minutes, I think they

would see that as a plus. If either team goes behind it becomes

stressful during the process of this game. Semifinals are about front

loading your energy. Both coaches spoke about that, getting the energy

at the front. Some of the interesting part for me is the

technical story behind semifinals, you want to win because you want to

get to Wembley. The human stories are going to this, Hull I believe

won last year because they wanted to get the hoo-do of Wembley. It could

be the difference between the two, I think. Hull obviously won last year,

people say it's one thing to win but it's different to retain it, how

much tougher is it? I can't speak from experience there,

unfortunately, everyone wants to knock the best team off, the team

who were there last year. This is their opportunity again.

You have retained it, is it that much tougher? It is and it isn't.

The other side would like to try and beat you, but you have that

emotional attachment, that's your trophy, you are unbeaten in it the

year before, why can't you go unbeaten again? Success breeds

success. So this is it, the 2015-2016 Challenge Cup winners are

up for a place at Wembley. Hull FC have made a name for

themselves today. Let's join our commentary team,

Brian is going up to join John Kear and Rugby League correspondent Dave

Woods. There is a thing of beauty, the

Challenge Cup. Playing for that, as you can see, since the 1896-1987

season, what a tradition. What wonderful history.

A new chapter to be written here today by one of these two sides.

You can see Danny McGuire is looking flushed already. Under the bright

lights, waiting to make his exit. Wonder what's going through his

mind. Not many more of these in that shirt in big games. Hull FC are

going out there, as well. Listen to that! Thunderous.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING The noise we have now, the noise we

will have throughout and thunderous is the kind of game we are expecting

as well. There are some big fellas out there.

There will be some subtlies but it's the battle down the middle that will

provide us with a pattern of the game.

The early birds, the symbol of Hull FC, will be hearing Old Faithful

belted out around this ground at some point, as well in the next

couple of hours. Let's look at how they're lining up

today. The referee today is Phil Bentham.

Should he be required, Robert Hicks is watching the screen, as is the

video referee, and the two running the line. Desire, passion and

belief, but who has brought those qualities in the biggest quantities

to this pedigree packed semifinal? We are under way. 80 minutes to

decide who is going to Wembley. We might need more than that in what is

likely to be a tight affair. Both sides, for the sake of nerves if

nothing does, hope it is settled in the next 80 minutes or so.

Immediately, Hull moving white and going left. Let's get the early

thoughts from Brian Noble and John Kear. The prize is massive. This

place is bouncing. Energy will be required to the 80 minutes to get

there. Hull have laid down their interventions. The Rhinos have a

tight defensive line. Straightaway, they have gone to the edges. Brian

Noble. They have nailed the first set, Hull. They have looked in size

it, in and out of the Leeds line. Some smart half-backs that will help

them. Ashton Golding will run it back. He

has put it down 20 metres from his own line. Cuthbertson is at only

half. Briscoe, remember him as a five try here rove -- hero. A ripple

of booing for him in the background. Moon out of dummy half, driven in by

Singleton. Parcell has been a revelation.

Cuthbertson working his package just inside hole's territory. But they

are on the last tackle, taking through McGuire. Puts it high. It is

a test. Taken safely, but a good chase, and Hull will start from

there. Hull had to kick the ball well today. I was interested in the

view of John Kear alongside me, where the prowess of both teams

comes from. Marc Sneyd, his left foot, he will want to dominate field

position. Joel Moon is well known for high kicks. Brilliant from Danny

Houghton. Danny Houghton doesn't always run from dummy half. Sika

Manu, last tackle to come. Griffin on the six. The bounce taken by

Golding. Starting with a lot of energy. Leaves in contrast playing

low risk, getting to the end of the set that way. Hull holding the

left-hand side, testing the right side out. We are already seeing the

price of the running game of this Hull team. Every player carrying the

ball to the line. Parcell there. Talking to Scott Taylor earlier, he

talked about the noise. It is louder than Wembley from his experience

last year. It wasn't packed to the rafters like this year. It got

caught in the sunshine as far as Talanoa is concerned. He allowed it

to bounce, and got lucky. It is out of play. Hull straightaway putting

it into the corners along the ground. Leeds towering the ball up

into the air, jamming the defence as they receive it. Talanoa couldn't

find the ball in the sunshine. REFEREE: Danny, right in! That's it.

Out it comes. Hull looking to batter their way back inside the Leeds half

again. A penalty. A penalty for Leeds. Throwing the leads play

around. I have sympathy here. I think they have been hard done,

genuinely. Two wingers, Finau and Talanoa, the big Islanders, coming

into the middle of the field. They want to get the team going forward

and play-the-ball quickly. What about the decision not to go for

goal? Interesting. Interesting, shall we say? Talking about a try in

the next few minutes, it will be the right decision.

Parcell out of dummy half. Singleton goes back, Moon with his dancing

feet. McGuire, inside off-load, moving again. Chicory back to

Parcell. Not given any room to move all

think. Now it is collected by Golding. Double punt. Ward will be

held up just short. But only just short. Back to McGuire again. The

referees says is it is played out. Another set of six for lEEDS. --

Leeds. Hull defending desperately. Parcell

drops it back again. Head down and going for it, Cuthbertson. Equally

committed, the Hull defence. The ball came back after the tackle was

called. The referee will say, stand up. Stand up and play it again.

Still in danger here, Hull. Leeds utilising the off-load game,

expanding on every occasion, testing the Hull defence. Music coming on to

add drama, not sure what that is about. Trying to create space,

picked up by Talanoa, who can run it clear! Moon and plenty others were

back. Hull won't find the passage to safety they want for themselves.

Leeds chose to run the ball, instead of taking two points, even when Hull

are fresh, defending their own line magnificently, forcing the error,

marshalling it to halfway. They will feel good about themselves at this

moment in time. Definitely a psychological win the Hull. We talk

about brilliant attacking play two separate sites. We have seen the

other side, defence. When the opposition have the ball, you have

to make extra effort into defence to get where you need to be. Putting it

high, high, high in the air. Briscoe has lost it. Here come Hull,

Minichiello finding a way over. But, but, but was there an obstruction on

his way to the line? We are going to the video referee.

REFEREE: Contact and is there an obstruction?

Let's hear from the video referee. Possible obstruction, from a kick.

We need to check they are onside. Houston is offside, we have to see

that through. So they are wrong side. I need to check that first,

please, to check what happens on the contest. And whether there is a

potential obstruction. So, first of all, I need to check if there is a

knock-on by Briscoe, and if there is contact on him. Both looking for the

ball. Doesn't appear to be any contact there. And then the ball is

lost by Briscoe. I would like to see that slow, please, to check if there

is contact on Briscoe, and check if he is challenging for the ball. OK,

so Tuimavave has his arms up. I can't see any contact off that

replay. He is not a challenging for the ball in my opinion. So the call

is no try. So, we can play on from here. If it

isn't no try, it is a scrum to Hull. We need to look... If we can play it

on from behind, and then check. Yeah, so we go on from here. Check

what happens here. He runs behind his own man. There looks to be depth

on that. What I would like to do, before that, can we go back and

check, when he drops the ball, whether he is taken to the ground. I

have to make sure he doesn't knock-on, and is entitled to catch

the ball. So, it's before that. Yeah, it's before that, sorry.

So, once he drops the ball, is there any contact on him, or does he just

fall to the floor? He has tackled him there, and he hasn't got the

ball. He had to be entitled to be in the play. We don't need to go on

from there. The first offence is the knock-on, so it will be a scrum to

Hull. Ten metres out, yes. COMMENTATOR: No try, knock-on. What

do you make of that? I am confused. For me, that is a try every day of

the week. Leeds defenders have come up with a poor read on Minichiello.

He runs under the sticks, and they go flat out. That was their

decision. It was very deep, but it did run round the back of the man.

But the first offence was a knock-on, and it was a tackle before

he hit the ground. I can tell you, Mr Briscoe will receive many more

high kicks through the rest of the game. Hull five metres out. Howden

goes left again, driven in by. Sneyd, this is Taylor. Scott Taylor,

joining us before kick off, how important it was and emotional it

was to win the cup last year as a hometown boy. Kelly goes right.

An elbow touches the whitewash, taking him out of play. It is

Leeds's turn to celebrate in defence. Defensively, we are not

calling that today. Fantastic attacking play, well done, Leeds.

Whoever will win to date, Brian, they have to learn this, because it

looks as if both teams are absolutely desperate for success,

and are really willing to work hard for each other, especially the most

important area, defence. I still need someone should tell me why the

try was chalked off. We will talk about it after the game we can sit

down after the game and have a good chat... Here is Parcell out of dummy

half. Watkins raging to the right-hand side, with a bit of space

here for Briscoe. He rolls another ten yards or so. Parcell again. A

hop and a skip, and a push by Ward. Goes to the halfway line.

Cuthbertson loves and off-load, loves and off-load but Liam Watts

and has got himself in the way to prevent him thinking in that manner.

Jones-Buchanan on tackle five, so here comes the six. Where does it go

you? Left to McGuire. Fonua underneath it, we know how good he

is under a high ball in attack or defence. Solid hits but he hardly

moves an inch. Not a bag tactic -- bad tactic. If he has two catch the

ball with defenders around him, it takes is running game out of

equation. That is part of the game plan, get your kick chased down

there. The prowess in their side retrieving the ball and responding.

Houghton, not a 40-20. It has not even made a distance, collected

instead by Golding. Sneyd up there to make the tackle.

The players allowed get on with it. Briscoe just to Parcell's right.

Parcell trying to work himself through. He is a good hooker. He

does keep you honest around that area. A bit of a fumble. Ward on

again. McGuire up to the line, back to

Moon. Moon again. It's all over the place. He is going backwards. He did

well that time. He can embarrass you, but Fonua did a great job. The

ball is not in play much at the moment. Shaul brings it back. You

had to stop this guy taking a running play, because, my word, he

is a big, big man. Four of them involved. Houghton off to the other

big fella on the other wing, Talanoa. Another five yards gained.

Sheer determination. Tuimavave picks it up from dummy half.

Kelly's pass picks out Griffin. Griffin engages two defenders.

Again, on the last. Again, it will be a kick. Again, it is Kelly. Going

towards the middle, Sneyd puts it high. Briscoe is underneath it.

Another test for Tommy. He hasn't got there. Back it goes, a kick from

Sneyd. Zero tackle. Leeds get it from there. Another indication of

where the high kicks are going for Hull FC. Tom Briscoe is having a

busy afternoon. He has to get use of that feeling, the ball dangling.

Leeds handled it well, and they handled the recovery well after the

kick. They need decent field position coming out of their own

half. He caught his foot in that last tackle. The pressure put him

into that situation, Dave. Moon again. A little pitching wedge

into the in-goal area. Back goes Shaul. Safely back to the ten again.

There is no hiding place for anyone at the moment, no stoppages. There

isn't. It is a high tempo game and a high-intensity game. Houghton up and

away. Watts does well to take that. What about that pass from the big

fella! A prop forward with handling skills like that, catching it and

getting the pass away as well. You can tell it is a semifinal of a cup,

he is not allowed to do that! A try talk of earlier. -- chalked off. A

200 career appearance Phil Taylor today. Sneyd with a kick to the

corner. Chased hard by Talanoa. They will be disappointed with that,

Hull FC, because seven tackles might not sound much, but the zero tackle,

my word, often, if you get a roll on, it can be costly. If you think

this is breathless, you should have watched the wheelchair World Cup

final last, France against England, France won it in the last few

seconds. It is a terrific sport when you get into it. We will show it at

half-time. Fascinating. Leeds are going at the right or the left

channel. Peppering the edges. The pass bounces. Jones-Buchanan out to

Ryan Hall. They are up in his face. 15 minutes played, where did they

go? Cuthbertson in and out again. There is Kallum Watkins. This is

McGuire again. All the time in the world to measure that kick.

Underneath it is Fonua. He caught it in the in-goal area. Smart. He knew

he had to get a foot back in there to give him the extra tackle. We

will see what Hull can do with their extra tackle.

You want to be fit to play this game, don't you. The tackle count so

far, completion rate is pretty high. It is a high-quality game, isn't it,

it really is. Sika Manu goes down ten inside the

Leeds half. Joining in is Shaul, and a drop of the hip by Tuimavave. They

made decent progress in this set, Hull. Sneyd again. Back the Liam

Watts. 15 metres away. One tackle to go.

Houghton to Snead. Kicking towards the corner again.

The choir has got it, tackled instantly by Talanoa. Leaves start

from there. They didn't quite find it there. Absolutely bang on, that

is where they have got to kick. He had a pitching wedge instead of a

sand wedge. He needed a bit more on it. Leeds looking latter role.

Keinhorst has lost it. It is a straight loss according to the

referee. Hull get the decision. A feed for The Black And Whites. I

think he did lose it. Let's have a look. He has lost that. He has a

responsibility, Keinhorst. They are not going to make it easy for you,

especially in the Challenge Cup. This really is only the second

stoppage after the only refereeing decision. My goodness, it has been

herons Geron. A slight delay here because Ward has

a busted nose, and the blood has gone on his shirt. The referee wants

him off the field to have that cleaned up. I don't think anyone on

the field is complaining about it. Take your time, Stephen. We are

getting a breather here. REFEREE: Heads in! Hull have stuck

all the good players -- big players on the one side. Let's see what

happens if. In goes Watts. Lost it. Lost it. First play, loses the ball.

He has explained it. REFEREE: It was similar to the one

over there. A good explanation from Phil Bentham, what is good for the

goose is good for the gander. As long as we keep that consistency all

the way through. You can see the carry, they will not make it easy to

retain the ball. Just losing it. Knock-on. You have a responsibly to

do carry the ball when you go into traffic. One of the wise owls in the

box before the game was suggesting, 20 minutes gone, if it is 0-0, Leeds

will be happier. Do you think they are? I think so, yeah. They have

taken away the Hull start. We have seen them this season with so many

starts where teams had to play a lot of catch up. Leeds have enough

talent in their team to score at any time. Parcell, and now taken on by

Anthony Mullally. Is he the first interchange today of any site? I

believe so. I believe it is for Brad Singleton.

Jones-Buchanan puts the shoulder in, drives it in. Here comes the final

tackle. The final play in this set. Again, a high one. The Noah, again,

is underneath it, but so is Ryan Hall. He reckons he has got this

down! Wow, if he did. He thinks he did. It is the video ref with the

final decision. REFEREE: It is from a kick again. We

need to check the on-site first, then onto the grounding if that is

OK. Pause it on his foot. Mullally is in front, and nobody else.

Mullally has two stay out of ten. And he is outside the tent. I need

to see a close-up of the cat, please. -- of the ten. Into his

hands. He catches the ball clean, brings it down. You need to see the

ball as it goes down. Lose the animation, please. It looks a try

from that angle. Can I see it from the other side, please? It is taken

by Ryan Hall. Slow, please. Can we take that nice and slow from that

angle, so we can see the ball go down. OK, down in his hand, that's a

try. Confirming the live decision. COMMENTATOR: For the size and power

Ryan Hall possesses, it is his balance that wins the day on that

occasion. That is an absolutely to refix finish by a terrific finisher.

It really was. Sometimes you have just got to make things happen. Hull

took an intake of breath, because it looked an indifferent kick from Joel

Moon. It looked safe for Fonua. He is printing, saying he is going to

make something happen. "I Am going to take the ball and score the first

try." A great try from Ryan Hall. Absolutely magnificent work there

from Hull. They time everything to perfection. His run, he accelerated

into it, allowing him to get over the top of Fonua and grounding the

ball. The reason the crowd think what just watched this kick...

Kallum Watkins, not necessarily a first choice kicker, but he has

landed 19 so far this season, 20 make that. The crowd think it is an

ordinary kick. Most of them are thinking, Fonua will clean this up

easily. Here is the kick. There is one bloke on the field that says he

will make something of the kick. Four Hull defenders, out jumping

Fonua what with the run on him. Not only that, he has courted and

slammed it down as well. Here he comes again. He is a man for a big

occasion. That is why he is international class. He makes things

happen. He scored a try in every game, by

average, that he has played for England. Here is tablet. -- Ablett.

Here comes Golding. A flash of lightning coming from the back. Gets

another tester. Fonua has not got the last one out of his head yet. A

simple catch. That will be a message sent out by Lee Radford. Make sure

it is a big, contested area for Ryan Hall to get at the ball. That was a

good set from Leeds from the kick-off to end up with an attacking

kick. He has lost that. It has gone backwards. The touch judge gave that

call to the referee. Griffin involved in that

breathtaking Million Pound Game for Salford last year. A moment of magic

from him. Salford featuring in the second semifinal tomorrow against

Wigan. It will be good as well. Kelly, we have not seen too much of

him so far. Stayed again. Again, Briscoe underneath the high ball. He

has company. Back to one. Still, back to one. Tuimavave. I think

Leeds need someone to help him out and hamper the Hull chase. Taylor to

Ellis. Ellis followed determination and desire, but meets a like-minded

Leeds defence. Out it comes to Kelly. Look at that gap! Look at

that gap! It was like a conjuror's trick. They

watched him go right. No one sensed he might:. And he gets underneath

the trick. His X factor here is, he sees a gap on the inside, and he has

so much speed and clever footwork, he can make the most of that. This

is the initial error from Tom Briscoe. A challenge for the ball,

getting nowhere near that. Leeds getting help on the kick. It takes

it back to one. Here is Kelly. Mullally over chasing. Kelly sees

that. Off his right foot and in on the inside. He overworked, and

dropped out of the defensive line, they were not going to stop him.

What a try. Should be all square again in a

moment. Marc Sneyd with with the kick.

It's been a good game. Really enjoyed this game so far. It's an

outstanding occasion, really is. A bit of everything. And some lovely

touches too. It's all square. 6-6. Absolutely nothing in this game at

this point. Both forwards packs, a massive arm wrestle. Hull FC have a

tendency to kick on from these points. One day someone's going to

tackle him, aren't they! I hope so! Would be Twitter gold!

One of the things I mentioned at the start, Hull need energy to perform

at their best. The players they've got, emotional energy that they need

and that score clearly helps you. I think this little bit of break in

the score will recharge batteries on the Hull team. There is Elis,

battling away. He had been out for three months until he returned last

week from a sternum injury against Huddersfield.

The chase is on again. It's more difficult than he was expecting!

What a great chase there. A four-man chase that put pressure first of all

on the kick-off and secondly, on the return. Two tackles, they've got

nowhere. It's Ryan Hall's turn to try to bring it to relative safety.

Leeds beyond the 10-metre mark. Look where Leeds are kicking from.

Tackle 5 on the 20-metre line. They're going to run it. Sheer want

wins. Want wins for Briscoe. Back inside again. He has support from

McGuire. Oh, the pass! Not quite what he wanted it. Absolutely

brilliant until that final moment. I am with you. Brilliant, brilliant.

And then a bit of a brain explosion, it's hard to be too critical. Bear

in mind he tells us it's the last play. No, we are going to pass the

ball. Get into space and then you don't really want him to throw it

into touch but he does. Absolutely marvellous. To finish the set there

is better... It is, you have to credit the courage of Leeds. They

were under pressure inside their own 20 and they opted to run it on the

last tackle with a wide shift. Good physical effort. Did a good job

Jimmy Keinhorst, the only marker. It's end-to-end this stuff. It's

fabulous. It's held and five tackles gone.

Here comes the last. Sneyd again. Guess where it's going? Towards

Briscoe again. Knock-on, in the air. Wonder what's on the tip sheet. He

has to execute it, as well. Poor old Tom Briscoe is under mighty

pressure. It was a knock-on as rightly identified by the officials.

12 to go in the first half. All-square. Garbutt is on the field.

Mitch Garbutt. Jones-Buchanan keeps going and

going. With all the same enthusiasm that he has always had. Here comes

Moon again. It's knocked on. In his own goal

area. What a result for Leeds that is. That is a result and a half. You

can see the disappointment on his face. Let's it bounce thinking it

may go dead in goal, it's near the post. Great result for Leeds, from

nothing. Yes, you felt that the ball was hoofed down field, wanted

territory and they've got an even better result, they've got the ball

and some territory. Fascinating kicks from both teams.

Leeds know they've a real platform here. A real platform to try and

deliver. Garbutt takes it on again. Four

tackles to go. Leeds are creeping closer. McGuire with a dummy.

Clutched at by Ellis. Others there too. Including Green who is on off

the bench. There is the position, two plays to go. They're right in

the middle of the field. They can go either way. The last play, the last

spin of the dice here, McGuire goes right again. Spins it out. Watkins

comes in, grabs it. Three on the outside. Puts the kick in. Oh! Ryan

Hall claims it. He is dancing with delight. Never mind claiming it! But

they have to go upstairs again. He says try. What does the video

referee have to say about this? Tackle five, live decision is try.

Firstly from a kick so check the onside, please. Pause it on his

foot. They are onside and then it's the grounding now. Checking whether

he gets the ball down and whether it's in the field of play. Go slow.

It's in his hand. It's difficult to tell off that as it's quite blurred.

This one might give us more of an idea. It's in his hand, still in his

hand. That could be down there. His foot is in the field of play. It's

whether he loses the ball first. Looks like he is in the field of

play, it's whether the ball is grounded. Nothing to show that his

hand has come off that ball. Looks like that's his hand and could

still be on the ball there. Have nothing to overturn on that. That

looks like that's his hand on the ball. There is no evidence it's not.

Can we see the angle from the other side to confirm it's in the field of

play still. And the one from the opposite corner, please.

That looks like he is grounded. I am give ago try. There are his white

boots. His hand is in the way. I can't prove that the ball isn't in

the field of play. The live decision is a try. It looks as though I have

no evidence to overturn that try. It's going to be another moment for

Ryan Hall's show reel. You will need a big box of popcorn to watch the

whole of his showreel. But another smiling moment for the man of the

moment. Well, sometimes teams are at their most dangerous when they make

it up. Leeds Rhinos on that last play made it up. You thought Danny

McGunfire had made a mistake initially. -- McGunfire. Then the

ball to Watkins and the finish from Hall is sensational. Really system.

Two kicked tries from Ryan Hall. Fantastic chase, fantastic skill in

finishing them. He has ticked the desire box there, got there, my

initial reaction was he lost the ball at the end, clearly not enough

evidence to overturn the decision. What a wonderful finish from Ryan

Hall. Kallum Watkins takes this job very,

very seriously. And he delivers. He delivers! Two

out of two. And Leeds back with a 6-point lead at 12-6. Fantastic.

Watkins, you wouldn't... He is landing these goals perfectly well.

Keeps really with in a Super League game at Salford previously but you

wouldn't think it was a semifinal. He is just stroking them over

without any problem whatsoever. Ryan Hall's writing his name all

over this Cup semifinal at the moment. The red button forum is on

after we finish here on BBC One and usual contact on social media. And

tomorrow Wigan and Salford. That's going to be a story one way

or the other. Albert Kelly, they've made him do plenty of work. There is

a couple of things tactically Leeds are trying to do. They're trying to

work Kelly over and Sneyd over to the other side of the field to make

half-backs tight so they can't play with the prowes they both clearly

have Just over seven minutes of the first half remaining.

This is a crucial seven minutes, as well. The Rhinos get another score

they'll go in with ten out of ten. But Hull FC come back and boy, have

we got a good second half coming up. Penalty.

That might help. Is that the first one? I was going to ask that. That's

the first penalty, I could be wrong. One each I think it is. Second

penalty. First one for Hull. First one in early part of the game and

they tapped it, rather than take the two points. Good job we brought

uncle John to keep us straight! I meant the first penalty for Hull!

Good work. Now a push by Bowden. Ten metres

away. Getting closer. Another great carry after contact. Has done that a

couple of times now Josh Bowden. Kelly again.

Sneyd. They're coming at numbers. Coming at angles! They're over the

line in the shape of Carlos Tuimavave the Samoan international,

sliding in. And Hull might be level again in just a few moments' time.

Well, take a bow, Josh Bowden. He creates, attracts attention and

attracts the extra defender to stop. It's what happens after the two long

balls to first Kelly and Sneyd going up the line. Here is the penalty

initially. That's for hanging on too long.

Play the ball there. Here is the whopper from Houghton out of dummy

half. Here is the next from Kelly to Sneyd. Sneyd straightens up because

they've created the numbers. Tuimavave just has to catch this

ball, he picks out Danny McGunfire. That's on the -- McGuire. And able

to move the ball to create numbers op the fringe. Really good work by

Sneyd, as well. Took the ball right to the line and made sure the line

was on... It made that line from two even more important. A cracking tie.

I am with you, I think you can put that down, but the assistant to go

to Josh Bowden. He has been a real handful since he has come on the

field. It's a good game this. A cracker.

It's what the cup's all about, packed house, nice warm day. Two

teams getting stuck into each other. I bet we have another definition of

what the cup is all about before this weekend is up. You will, you

will. Sneyd looking to level things. The rocking motion of his. Has he

put it over? Yes, he has. The chant of Sneyd from the fans. 12-12. We

are back where we started. All square again. This is quality. It's

quality from Kelly and then Sneyd. It was interesting they got Shaul

around the back, as well, which would also have caused problems.

Absolutely. So four minutes of the half

remaining. Shaul's joining in. Tuimavave

dancing away again. It's a big three-quarter line. It's

a physical three-quarter line. Kelly. Looking to work his magic and

almost bouncing through. Griffin picks it up to have a go. Not quite

had the stellar season he would have been hoping for this year, Josh

Griffin since his move to Hull but there is still time. That's a good

offload. A great offload because here comes

Watkins. Out comes Sneyd again. They've got the numbers. Briscoe

knocked it down. Had to do it. But the momentum really had shifted to

Hull. There was speed in there, and it was outnumbered 2-1. If he

couldn't wrap the man up, ball and all, he had to play the ball. It's a

great offload from Shaul which created the space. It sucked

defendanteders in. Then they shifted the ball. That's where Briscoe saves

the day for the Rhinos. Head and feet for Hull. Only ten

metres away. This could be a big moment in this match. This could be

a very, very big set of six. Might not be but it could be oh, look at

the step from Watts! Almost through. Five away. Hull turning the screw a

little tighter again. Maguire with a desperate tackle. They were all at

sea. They had to make that. Houghton looks to his right. It's Bowden

again. To the ground this time. Houghton. They're within sight of

that Leeds line. Houghton shuffles to his right, puts his head down.

Two tackles in the set to go. Kelly in the middle. Kelly with a

pass. Leeds are pushing on. Sneyd with a dummy. Was it a forward pass?

No, it wasn't. Just short. Here comes the last play. Leeds are

hanging on. Sneyd's kick is flat. I think it's a deflection. Kelly with

a catch. An absolutely miraculous pass away that Chris Green pounces

and scores. Unbelievable! Unbelievable! What a set of six that

was. Absolutely outstanding Rugby League. It really was. Danny McGuire

saved the day early in the set. Watch this. It's almost like a flat

pass. Great work that was. Put it in the area where there is lots of

numbers. What about the offload? My word. Takes your breath away. Really

does. The skill there, low, pumped pass, great catch. Then offload

there. The claim from Leeds is that was forward. The person in the best

position is wearing red and he is called Phil Bentham and he has

allowed it. Some complaints from behind the sticks. Plenty of

complaints in the stands from the Leeds fans when they saw that try

replayed on the big screen. Chris Green doesn't score many as those

stats reveal but that's a big game. That's a huge one. What about the

timing, as well? You couldn't have got it closer to the half-time.

Absolutely outstanding. What a great first 40 minutes. It still is,

whether Sneyd kicks this or not. You can put your mortgage on him kicking

it. 18-12 should he do it. It's still anybody's game. So the last

act of a thrilling first half will be Sneyd's kick for goal which gives

his side a 6-point lead. 18-12, the half-time score. What a

semifinal, what a Cup tie. Twice Leeds were in the lead. But couldn't

quite hang on. Danny Houghton at the moment is down there speaking with

Damien Johnson. What's your verdict on the first

half, it's as tight as everyone predicted? It is. Thankfully we have

come out top the last 15 minutes and hopefully can build on that into the

second half. How big a psychological blow scoring before half-time?

Hopefully it will be for us, I thought we grew into the game really

well. We will regroup and kick on. Thanks, Danny. Well, what a half of

Rugby League we have had. They've delivered on the day. It was a

physical start to the game. They've both chanced their arm a little. The

sign of the quality of the game is the tries indirectly or directly

from kicked sets. Both sides should be applauded for what they've

delivered in a high pressure game. Talk us through the first try. A

brilliant one from Hall. It's a case of chasing lost causes. We were

speaking earlier in the commentary about a great kick from Leeds into

the corner and then Ryan Hall chasing it to the end. Gets over.

Originally when the ball was kicked probably didn't think it was a great

kick. But it's the effort from Hall. He is the only person who has chased

it and he really believes he can get the ball. In the end the kick is

probably too long but the effort to get there and then obviously the

skill to catch it and get it down has got the try. But just effort,

effort. It's a world-class finish, as well. Has the smallest of margins

to get that ball down and he is a big bloke and to get that shows why

he has been voted one of the world's best wingers. Why is he the man for

these big occasions? I love him, he has a bit of an ego about him, and

he is playing against a great player and will be thinking I want to get

one over him, if he is my winger. He has done that so far. We go back and

got it even, it's been a tough half for Tom Briscoe, they've gone for

him. Hull have purposely targeted Tom. He is going to have to live

with that. He could do with help from people around him and support

there. But this is clearly from the strategy book. They're going to have

to compete for everything. To be fair, of the four players they've

put down there they've come up with a result three times. So it's a

great strategy. I think it's great watching this try, just repeat,

repeat, doing something and have the discipline to do it. The criticism

at sides would be they don't have the discipline to stick to a game

plan. It's that little chip into the corner. What about this from Kelly.

I think they've switched off here. Any coach will tell you, I think all

these guys who know they switched off, don't go sideways. Mullal

yeshgs won't be impressed with what he has done there. Kelly is too

smart and too quick. He is gone. It's opened up like the Red sap sea

for him. All I will be thinking is get there he is going to run and he

run and stepped on the inside. They would have spoke about it all week.

Sure enough Kelly has run inside 10, 20. It's concentration. They had

been quiet up to that point. As the game goes on you start to tire and

you are not making right decisions and then you switch off for a moment

and it's a try. Ryan Hall pops up again, chasing a lost cause it

seemed here. Again this is the Leeds Rhinos we know. Danny is not sure

what to do. Gets the ball to Watkins. You can see the guys

pointing here. They want the kick. It's a case of timing the run and

chasing it to the death. What a wonderful finish again. It's an

absolutely world-class finish to chase that down and get the ball

down like that. He has no right to get that try. Didn't have the right

to get the first one if defenders do their job. But world-class. He had

the desire. He had the effort. The speed. And the skill at the end to

get that ball down. He knows that line is there. He is thinking I can

get this down. It's a sign of the times, three of the tries are down

to kicks, that's when you know defences are good. So the fourth

try, we have a lot to get through. The fourth, was that they really did

work the numbers, Hull? This is something we spoke about earlier in

the game. Can a forward dent the line, keep progressing even though

it looks like he should be stopped? Josh Bowden refuses to be stopped.

Gives himself more space. Get closer to the line. That first pass is

crucial. The width to Kelly, cuts out three defenders. It gets Watkins

interested. He is at the post and Maguire is backing away. The first

pass is crucial. I go back to what JP says about the Bowden carry. The

width of the pass from that play then and enables Sneyd to go at the

line. He had two options. Watkins was at the first, he was too tight

on that defender. As well this kind of sums up Hull's half, they've

looked more dangerous when they get to the Leeds 20 than Leeds have

looked in the Hull 20. Hull look like they can go down there and

score, score at will almost. Hull are more structured too. They've got

examples when they've run on the last play and probably should have

scored off that. Watkins sort of looked at the pass and it went over

the side, it was unstructured but it was a great set. Hull got that final

try, again bits of brilliance but was it a forward pass in the middle?

You can debate whether it's a forward pass but it's wonderful

skill from Albert Kelly to pass like that. If it is forward the referee

has ruled on it now, you just need to get over on it, it's borderline

in my opinion. The skill from Kelly, it's a magnificent play. They're the

game breakers you want. We spoke about Moon and Kelly with the skill.

There it is. That's just the natural ability that comes out in Albert

Kelly. He is a real competitor. It's a natural skill he has. And he is,

they talk about him at Hull as the X Factor. So they should. Couple of

players there, that's the difference between Hull winning or in the

winning or being ahead. You have to give credit to Chris Green, as well,

that was down by his boot laces, Kelly has inflicted himself twice on

the game. The Sneyd kick I think took a deflection which helped it.

That element of luck was there, as well. It's unbelievable, sport and

it's a game of inches, sometimes it comes off well and I think it was

Danny McGuire who charged at the end. Another inch is probably

knocked it down and kills the play. It works out as a try. It's

frustrating at times. We have had a fantastic half here and there is

much more fantastic sport coming up on the BBC this weekend.

There is a special programme today on BBC Two.

Following that live coverage from the World Swimming Championships in

Budapest. We will be back tomorrow with that

second semifinal with Wigan and Salford.

Also tomorrow it's five years since this.

Down on the pitch, one of our heroes has been given a special

presentation. Dave Parker has been with the BBC since 1965, when as a

young man, he was brought in to work behind the scenes. Eventually, he

moved to the commentary box, to pitch side, and he has been a great

help to all of us down the years. We heard Dave talking in commentary

about the wheelchair rugby league World Cup. It was an incredible

final. Poor old England lost out to France in the final moments. They

had a fantastic tournament, though. Well beaten by France earlier in the

tournament. They did fantastically well, tea and in -- teeing us up

nicely for the World Cup. England are looking forward to the World

Cup, and it will be great for the sport. I think Australia will nail

the best World Cup we have seen in that sport as well. What will be

going on in the dressing rooms at the moment? Who will be the happier

of the two? I think Hull. The finish to the first half was sensational to

get those two scores. Previously, 12-6 down. Both teams will have

confidence. Leeds will want to go back to the start of the game, when

they moved it around, getting Sneyd, getting behind Fonua. I think they

have had more ball, Leyds, which has helped. Hull are the type of team

that need the ball to have the energy to play. From my own previous

experience in semifinals. Off-load 's favour Leeds. Because the energy

is less in defence, not many defenders will swarm around. I would

like Leeds to stick to the tactics, attacking the half-backs on the 20s.

Let's listen to Danny McGuire, who has been wearing the player mic in

that first half. Listen, listen, we're going well

here. We are in a good position. Forward, I need you here.

He is going to need to have a big half, because as you guys were

talking about, they haven't threatened. The off-loads is a huge

strength for Leeds's game. This half, you want to start well. It is

a blow, the try before half-time. You need momentum, we need

play-the-balls, and we need to build pressure. We had to let you get back

to the commentary box. We are keeping you fit, getting our money

's worth from you. Back to the commentary team of John Kear, Brian

Noble is leaving the studio, and Dave Woods.

COMMENTATOR: Out they come for the second half. Two tries from Ryan

Hall in the first half, putting Leeds ahead. The exemplary skills of

Kelly at the heartbeat of what Hull have done. Leeds breaking a record

today, a 47th Challenge Cup semifinal. It will be a short lived

record, because Wigan will equal that tomorrow when they play against

Salford. It will be their 47th Challenge Cup semifinal. Leeds have

won 35 semis, and lost 21. By comparison, Hull's 26 Challenge Cup

semifinal. Phil Bentham is all smiles.

Interesting to watch Marc Sneyd's body-line good at half-time, boots

off, bouncing up and down on the left foot of his. It is causing

concern. He got an injury early in the first half. He did. Either a

calf or ankle injury. He must stay out if Hull are to be successful,

really important to the Black And Whites. These two play each other in

the super eights next week, don't they? The context of that might be

defined by what happens in the next 40 minutes here. It is up for grabs.

Again, holding that channel there, making Albert Kelly work. But they

still came up with two pieces of genius, the Hull stand off half.

Talking about genius, Brian Noble has returned to the commentary box

clutching a box of lime flavoured chocolate eggs. Looking after the

team, boys, making sure you are well nourished. Watch out a play by Jamie

Shaul, who was confident it wasn't a 40-20. He will be really happy with

that end of set, Leeds. Get up to the scrum, a set restart,

frontloading the energy in the early tackles, attempting to restrict Hull

FC. It is important that Mahe Fonua is there as first receiver. So

expect a contest. Hard work to do here to get themselves out of this

end of the field, here. Leeds will want to keep them there. For as deep

and as long as possible. Halton taken in hard by Watts. And

again to the left-hand side. Minichiello making a half-break.

Sneyd teases as if he was going to kick. The pass is picked up, turning

to something magic by Kelly. The pass a way, Griffin travelling well.

Over everybody's head. Shaul can't gather it in. Opportunity missed for

the moment, but it is still there. Shaul joint eight something out of

nothing. Looking to the left, oh! Talanoa! Fetuli Talanoa! Did he need

the long pass? No. It could have been a softer pass completely! What

a passage of play. Albert Kelly, missing the X factor out there. They

are calling for the kick on the inside, which is exactly what

happens. Shaul gets the ball, seeming to be with the ball for

eternity. Going across the field, picking out the gaps. He finds a

gap, and it is just the next man. Oh! I am sure that is what coach Lee

Radford and his assistant are saying, pick the next man out with a

simple pass. We mentioned opportunities at the start of the

game. You have to take your opportunities. What a fantastic

passage of play it was, other than the end. It is like this game,

Brian, it has everything. Everything. Parcell dashes out.

Still just the six behind, it could have been a lot, lot worse.

Parcell again, going right. Singleton going only one way. One

straight, as hard as you can. Chipped back towards the middle, and

an easy take for Shaul. 25 out from their own line here.

That is what you want your big forwards in the middle channel to be

doing. That was Minichiello showing up in the middle. He is not just an

edge runner. Goes right, comes left, fooling them all. Back with

Minichiello in this channel again. Gathered in.

Here is green. Sneyd over the top to create space for Griffin to gallop.

Bringing it back again. Fonda were we gathering his feet. Gets an

incredible pass away again. Watts going centrally. Flicks it back,

horrific skills. Minichiello dummies, straightens up and sets

this platform for Hull. Two fantastic off-loads in there. Really

were. Fonua, what a great position for Hull. Final play of the set,

Sneyd with the set. Talanoa goes up. Two of army to catch, claim and

finish! It is the way Hull do things, kick to the big fellas, soft

handed, inside, Tuimavave finishes. Hull and a bit of daylight between

them and Leeds. I love the composure from Marc Sneyd. I really do. He is

carrying out his coach's instructions to the absolute letter.

That's where it is so important, out there. He calmly stroked the ball to

sit it on Briscoe's head. Talanoa gets the jump on him, because he was

the man moving, the man that can time the ball, catching the ball at

arms length. Inside, and a tremendous try from Tuimavave. What

a great try. Either side at half-time, policy have been

sensational. Two things will become Jamie Peacock mentioned off-load at

half-time, talking about Leeds. Hull have come out with four or five

classy off-loads, off-loads to progress them further down the

field. Sneyd comes up with the precision kick. Full credit, Hull. I

don't think we are too far away from the Hull mixed choir giving us a

rendition of Old Faithful. Here we go.

I will tell you what, these guys aren't going to let the cup go from

their grasp easily. If anyone is going to take the Challenge Cup of

this team of black and white players, they have two it, they

really are. -- off this team of black and white players, they have

all stop a 12 point lead. 24-12 is the lead for Hull.

This is a real test now for the Rhinos, isn't it. It has all been

about Hull FC for the five minutes before half-time. The five minutes

or so after half-time, and the Rhinos will have two come up with

some big plays. They had to shift the momentum somehow in the next

five minutes or so. Let's go down to the touchline. No, we're not, not

just yet. I thought we were, but not yet. It is a challenge for Leeds.

Not being in the Hull 20 metres for quite a period now. They will start

to wane a little bit, Leeds. I am confident they have the game to get

over the black and white line. They have two stop Fonua and Minichiello.

Minichiello with a step. Watts, he has looked great today,

Liam Watts. Danny Houghton scuttles away from would-be first-time

defenders, finding field position, 30 yards out from the Leeds line.

Here's Kelly. Sneyd again, putting it over the top of Ryan Hall, but

Ryan Hall is in position to get there. Golding to bring it out. Ryan

Hall's shoulders hit hard, 12 from their own line.

We saw Lee Radford in animated conversation with his team at

half-time. The message was, it is the 1% things that make the

difference, cut out the errors and we will get there. They have cut out

the errors and they have a foot in the final.

A little over energetic, which has lost Leeds ground. No touch from a

Hull player, so it is to the last tackle. McGuire's chip and chase,

and he has got it. A bit of magic from the maestro, and the kick for

Briscoe to chase. Briscoe is after it. Just... Out of play. That would

have been a real McGuire collectors item had it ended in a try. That is

the type of thing that can change momentum there. That will have given

the Rhinos real hope stopped a matter of inches there from Tom

Briscoe. What an absolute classic bit of play. Chip kick, seeing

Briscoe, feeling he has the pace. If the kick was a yard less hard, it's

a try. What a great piece of play from McGuire. That may be a momentum

change, let's see. The brilliance of McGuire enforced because of the

defensive situation. Found an off-load, Danny McGuire saw the

opportunity, the scrambling Hull defence, but couldn't find the

quality of kick to give Briscoe a chance to put the ball down. Bodin

muscles his way to the 40 metre am mark. -- 40 metre Mark.

Once again to Sneyd, Sneyd to Tuimavave. Not much room in which to

work. Sneyd into a cul-de-sac. Still a couple of plays to go in this set.

Green straightening things up. Down by Brett Ferres. Last tackle.

Baptist made, inevitably, up goes the kick, inevitably. Here comes the

chase, but Golding has got it in space. That is what we mean by

helping him out. Ash Golding said, I am going to help you out, I am

helping my team-mate. I am going to search and claim the all. The mantra

should be, we need more white shirts in the frame on the defensive

effort. If you do that, even if you don't clean the kick up, you need

troops to clean up the spoils. Get some white jumpers in the frame,

Leeds. Danny McGuire getting a bandage around the head. The scars

of the semifinal. There was some contact there, this

time on the defensive side. Garbutt was mindful to try to produce the

off-load. Keeping the ball tight to his chest was the better option.

McGuire spins it left. Keinhorst dodging and weaving. It

might be another set here. No, no touch. The referee has taken advice

from the touch judge. It is still the second set. The last play here

for Hull. McGuire spinning it high. Jamie Shaul is underneath this.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan was there as well. The referee has decided that

Jamie Jones-Buchanan was impeded. He has given a penalty. I think he

loses this in-flight here, coming down. You might see J JB here.

Nowhere near. It is a penalty by the letter of the local Jamie

Jones-Buchanan bumps into him. I would agree with him. He didn't

fancy that. If I was Danny McGuire, I would think, you will get more of

that. Fauna were wanted get up and carry

on, the referee said he was tackled and had to get up and play-the-ball.

He has done well with his passing game, off-loading well, as well as

carrying the ball. Sniping forward, Sneyd dances, and

Minichiello tries to create what little space he has into something

bigger. Leeds defenders were there. Getting close again now. Sneyd

dummies. Tumbles but gets up again. Now it's Minichiello with a step!

They are on him, on him in the nick of time. Here comes the last play.

Sneyd again with the kick. Up goes Talanoa. In fact, he is claiming he

was impeded. The referee says, yes, you were. Penalty for Hull. You

can't do that. Did I say we can't do that? We did mention that. He just

takes him out, he really does. That shows they have got inside his head,

Hull have really got inside Tom Briscoe's head. This is a crucial

two minutes for Leeds here. The goal line is set, if indeed Hull play on,

or will they go on? I felt Leeds were hanging on. Fingertips in the

last set. I think they will go for the killer punch here. And the six

points. Danny Houghton taking his time. No

rush. Slowing things down further with a punt out of play, giving them

a restart ten yards in. Laying a platform, setting a

position. Out in going left. Sneyd again. Tuimavave, on a hat-trick,

having scored twice already. Driven in by Liam Watts. Quite the game he

is having. Green coming from deep, twisting it

and keeping alive. Bowden pushing them off, handing it in. Still only

five, Leeds are teetering. Back to Sneyd for the one point. Marc Sneyd

puts it over. Only a tiny point, but it could be a big, big moment,

because that now is a threescore leader that Hull have in the game.

Smart from Sneyd. It would have been a difficult attempt at two points.

Almost cracking them open. But what he did ensure is that Marc Sneyd had

enough time. Truly slotting it over the edge. It is, it is a big, big

point, Dave, because it is a threescore game now for the Rhinos.

No relaxation allowed. The coach is demanding to consistency right to

the very end. Leeds have the pedigree to fight back. Have they

got the will? A spirit crusher, that one pointer, or is it a spark for

Leeds to find a way back into this me final? -- this semifinal.

Dominating the second half, Hull FC. It has been brilliant. Certainly

has. It will be the eighth year in a row

that one of these two will be in the Challenge Cup final, but it has been

Leeds that has dominated in the last few years. But Hull are the coming

force, aren't they. Tuimavave's kick. How good is that? Rolls it out

of play. Giving Leeds the ball back again, but in a difficult is it in.

They are playing very, very smart, Hull FC. They really are. The ball

went wide, bringing the Leeds winger up, dabbing it over the top, rolling

it out of bounds. That is a kick of set finishing ten metres away from

your line, Leeds. You have got to have a heck of a job to come to the

other end of the field. They are loving life in Doncaster,

Hull. Don't forget the red button after we finish it.

That game tomorrow, that is going to be terrific as well. Salford haven't

been to Wembley since 1969. A differential penalty for Hull.

The hooker trying to actually get the ball... It wouldn't have

happened in your day, would it, Brian?

We are laughing because the kick out of play has just hit the doctor on

the back of the head. There is a gentleman, a doctor, with a red

T-shirt on, the ball hit him square on the back of the head. That is a

head injury assessment for him. He is OK.

Danny McGuire looking to try to engineer something for Leeds here.

They need something quickly to get their spirits lifted. They have lost

their way to Wembley at the moment. They need to find the path back

again as soon as boss of. Driven in by Cuthbertson ten metres out. -- as

soon as possible. McGuire's kick. Tom Briscoe trying

to get on the end of it. Kallum Watkins gets the pass back. Ward,

still five. Hull's defence are determined that ball should not be

allowed to keep alive. That is an example of what we are talking about

at the other end of the field. Five black jumpers. They don't clean the

kick up. Leeds have an opportunity, but because of the numbers, they

clean the play up. The second play, a stream of Hull defenders. It has

been an outstanding performance by Hull the 57 minutes, but

particularly for, five minute before this half-time, absolutely

outstanding. He is a big man. He is a big man.

Here is another big man, Griffin. Leeds looking at the numbers on the

back, wondering if it is right. Last tackle. Sneyd again looking for

touch this time. He has found it. Again, putting Leeds right back on

the back foot. You can have the ball, Leeds, but you have a lot of

hard work to make it really hurt us, that is Hull's mantra. He is a smart

fella, he really is smart. He is looking after this game. He took the

one point with three schools ahead, putting it in the corner. Clever,

clever play from the scrum-half. Sometimes, at the top of the show,

we emphasised the importance of your kicking game. Bully at handling and

running game, rugby league, it has been a masterclass today. A lot of

candidates, but Marc Sneyd had the kicks, the 40-20s. Absolutely

instrumental in what Hull are doing here.

Leeds will not want to be counted out just yet, though. One try set

them alight again. McGuire's kick. Watkins follows up, the dummy,

terrific! Absolutely terrific! They are alive again! Leeds are back, and

Kallum Watkins, of the back of magic from acquire, puts them back in the

com petition. Take your hats off to the Leeds Rhinos. They pinned them

in the corner, Hull FC. You want to score, you had to go 90 metres. All

right, that's what we'll do. We'll do exactly that. Watch this for a

last tackle play. Spot it, Danny McGuire. Lovely weighted kick,

picked up by Kallum Watkins. He didn't break stride. A show and go

on Jamie Shaul, and over he goes. All of a sudden, Brian, game on.

Absolutely, game on, off the back of Danny McGuire, for me. Two sublime

kicks in the last ten minutes. A chip over the top to regather.

Watkins puts it over, 25-18. Getting early point in the second

half, the challenge for Hull is to play the game for the next 20

minutes. Marc Sneyd's drop goal looked like a

luxury item when it went over, but it is turning into one of the game's

necessities now, because it is still a two score lead. Look at the skill

of the kick on the skill of the pick-up. Without breaking stride,

Kallum Watkins is some of that. I am not sure Hull can keep playing.

Don't close shop up. Mentally, they might have gone. I'm confident they

wouldn't. But Leeds, they aren't going to give up. They absolutely

dominated possession, Hull FC. They made hay while the sun shone. Leeds

Rhinos showing character in fighting back. Picked up by Ashton Golding.

It feels like a gathering storm at the moment from the Rhinos. Here is

McGuire. Keinhorst has gone behind his own

man and given the obstruction penalty away. Here we see... Now,

Houghton gets impeded. I think it was Ellis. They've both got the same

haircut! Lacking follicles. Here comes Gareth Ellis again.

Ex-Leeds player, of course before his adventure in Australia.

Kelly picks it up. Houghton's quick ball out of dummy

half. Griffin tries to straighten it. That's the 5th. Here comes the

last from Hull. Wonder what's going to happen here. It's Kelly. Now it's

Sneyd. That left foot, up goes Tuimavave. Now it's Shaul. With a

grubber kick. Needs sorting out. Danny McGuire does. But can't keep

his feet or his balance. Concedes the drop out underneath the sticks.

Well played Jamie Shaul. He picked up the pieces this time. Leeds

defend the kick. Shaul finds a nice little touch off his foot. McGuire,

no option but to run the ball dead. I am with you, I think there is more

black shirts in the frame than white shirts. Kelly's catch and Gareth

Ellis is invited to run as hard as he can at that oncoming Leeds line.

A few headaches and bruised ribs. This is Taylor.

Griffin coming back on the inside. But held up. I think there is still

three tackles to go. Plenty of time for Hull to create something...

Driven away! And scored by Liam Watts!

He has deserved that for his performance today. He absolutely

has. And Hull maybe do have a foot in the final.

Leeds had to find a way to respond again. What a performance, what a

moment for Liam Watts. Kelly is going up the line. Trying to run

Kelly down, they don't nail him and Watts, I think it's McGuire, is it

Parcell that jumps out of the line? It's Brett Ferres. He was not going

to be stopped. As soon as he saw those hips turning that's when he

released the ball. I think they realise they better get the hotel

sorted out. They'll be going down by the train. He will be getting a

little train driver's hat on. Fabulous run from Watts. Kelly, you

have to know when to release and he tempted the line and tempted Ferres

out of the Leeds defensive line and that created the opportunity.

Shouting out orders. Still a big kick here for Marc Sneyd. You would

put money on him to put this over. If he misses it's still only, I say

only, but it's a two-score game. If he puts it over Leeds would have to

find a way over the try line three times. Do you want to bet? No!

31-18. Leeds have to find a way of scoring three times. They're on

course for Wembley at the moment. It was a lovely pass that. My word,

came on to the ball, Watts. We spoke about how he carried the ball and

it's been the tough times in yardage and offloading. Offside. Picked up

in front, offside. Leeds player knocked it down. That's why the

penalty has been given. If you are playing against Hull, you

have to aim up. Ellis. You end up defending your own half all the

time. Gareth Ellis is talking about going again next year. Taylor now.

Wrestled, held up, put down. Houghton. Sneyd. Watts. Flips it

back. Ellis. He gets it away. Houghton. Sneyd. Tuimavave. Three

defenders coming across urgently. Did well, Watkins, there, helping

Danny McGuire. Sneyd again. A little side through! Oh, it's been missed!

No try. Kelly touches down but the ball had gone forward. That's

another example of outstanding kick. If he is going to have a problem

with his left ankle, calf or whatever, my word, what would he do

if he was fully fit? He has had an absolute screamer of a game.

The red button forum, don't forget that.

The second semifinal is tomorrow. If this has whetted your appetite for

more to come, we will be on air 2pm tomorrow. 11-and-a-half minutes for.

They're barely inside the Hull half. McGuire has to try something

different and special. What about that pass from Cuthbert son? Watkins

searching to the middle and a kick. Who is chasing? Nobody with any

great gutso. He has found a bit of open space here, Jamie Shaul. It's a

great game of Rugby League this. It really is. A man in the ruck there.

Oh, a penalty. Feezing that Leeds defence as he

advances forward with a soft shoe shuffle.

Taylor. Nothing soft about his approach. Here comes Sneyd again.

Left foot kicks, out it goes. Again only ten metres from their own line.

This confirms the fact... I even think the referee has controlled the

game and hasn't been noticed by a lot of his decisions and another

fantastic kick there from Sneyd. They're clearing away the empty box

of those Jaffa Cakes, did you have one, John? I had a couple you could

say. I didn't have any. Needs a miracle now, something miraculous.

In the last ten minutes they've to score three times. They're starting

this set, look where they are. They're up against a Hull side that

believes, that utterly believes. Last year was all about getting rid

of the hoodoo winning at Wembley for the first time. This year it's more

about growing into being a champion side who can do it year after year

after year. And they certainly look set for back-to-back Wembley finals.

Parcell scampers off. Even defending well now, as well.

They've really grown into this semifinal, the Hull FC side. Having

to run it on the six here and try something. Watkins puts the kick in.

Shaul steadies himself. Straightens up, here he comes! He is on his way.

Jamie Shaul, it's a beautiful try. A beautiful moment! Taking Hull back

to that beautiful place, Wembley, here they come! The black and whites

know their way and they're on their way back again. Book the coaches,

book the trains, book the hotels. The black and whites of Hull FC are

going back to Wembley. They really are. Leeds had to try something,

that's what Watkins did. Just saw the gap, Jamie Shaul, as soon as he

hit the fresh air you could put your glass down, you could applaud him

because you knew that's the play that guarantees Hull FC at Wembley.

Here it is. Leeds got to chance their arm. Trying to find a kick.

Shaul flings it up. Watkins falls. He sees the space, gone, good night,

see you later. Put your books down, turn the lights out. You are not

going to catch him. Great finish. It's been an outstanding performance

from Hull FC don't think you can bad -- find a bad player amongst them,

this kid certainly contributed, Jamie Shaul with a screamer of a

75-yard try there. Plonks it down in the corner. Gives the ball to the

black and white army to celebrate. It's been a great, great

performance. Really has. All credit to Hull FC. They are defending this

trophy with aplomb. They're winning at a canter in the

final reckoning. Taken the game away from Leeds in the second half.

Marc Sneyd has been kick perfect so far today with ball in hand or ball

off tee. And that is a pattern that is not going to be broken. Six out

of six. 37 points-18, Hull FC leading. They're on their way. They

really are on their way. This is the icing on the cake. Breakaway there.

He finds the chink in the Leeds Rhinos kick chase and enjoys the

finish. To compound that they've gone from the kick-off and Danny

McGuire has been one of Leeds' best players. He has put the ball out of

play. It's a penalty for Hull FC. Again it will be put into touch and

they'll start another set. Connor puts it out of play, which

tells you that Albert Kelly has gone off. He has gone off injured, we are

told. Not sure of the nature of the injury.

He has had an ankle injury in recent times, so maybe it's something to do

with that. Anyway, here is Jake Connor.

Ten away from that Leeds line. Hull looking to plunge the dagger in

once again here. Still have a Grand Final to play for, Leeds. As do

Hull. And there is Scott Taylor! One of our own is what the fans love to

chant about him. Over he goes. He is in to join some of his fellow Hull

faithful. Scott Taylor, scoring the try, Hull through the 40-point

barrier now. What do you call them, boppers?

They've had plenty today. Once again got the field position from that.

One big bopper, another big bopper in Taylor, does score. Just a simple

pass play from Houghton. Clever deception. They're looking as if he

is going around the back of the big fella. Up it pops. Hull's very own

Scott Taylor, over he goes, joyously in front of that Hull FC crowd. What

a day for the black and whites, what a day for that man. He grew up on

the ter races as one of them, singing Fold Faithful, cheering on

Hull players. Now he is in the middle with that big number 8 on his

back. Entertaining those Old Faithful. He is a good player. He is

an international player. He has been big for Hull for a long time now.

Along with Watts and Houghton. They're the engine room, the people

that are laying the platform for this super Hull team.

Lessons might have been learned, if they are, boy, watch out. It's been

some second half this. They are powering their way to victory here.

Sneyd puts it over. Seven goals out of seven off the tee. A dropped goal

to add to that, as well. It's party time on the terraces.

Yeah, a packed house. The vast majority have been - wearing the

black and white of Hull FC, they'll certainly have a very enjoyable

Saturday evening, I am certain. 43-18.

Discussion going on between John Kear and Brian as to who should be

the Man of the Match. John, any decision yet? Yes, we have. The Man

of the Match, many, many candidates, obviously I think Danny McGuire has

had a great game for Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC side there's been

Minichiello, Houghton, Kelly. For me the man who has controlled

everything, his kicking game has been superb, he has kicked all the

conversion, 100%, it's got to be Marc Sneyd. He has been sensational

today. I can't think there has ever been a back-to-back trophy winner

but Marc Sneyd has certainly put himself in contention of doing that

this year at Wembley. Certainly his side are going to be playing at

Wembley. We will find out who their opponents will be tomorrow, Wigan or

Salford? Still an element her for Leeds,

pride to play for. They've played the part, Leeds. But the second half

has truly been all Hull FC, they've been fantastic. Hurts to lose a

semifinal I am sure, hurts even more when the scoreline gets to what it

is at the moment. Ryan Hall is after a semifinal hat trick. He is not

going to get it. : Lee got married last week. A lot of

his mates on the stag-do wore t-shirts with a reference to the

fact that two years ago the Hull fans were bellowing for him to be

sacked week after week and then he won them a Challenge Cup final and

here he is again. A Challenge Cup final at Wembley and he has taken

them back straightaway. It's a credit to the owner Adam Pearson who

stayed faithful with Lee, who knew what he got and felt he could

deliver and he has delivered. Just kicking that out of play. Oh, it's a

penalty. Yeah, I think there was a touch of obstruction there. I think

it's Marc Sneyd who has just got the Man of the Match award, and in

retreat, I think just tugs on Parcell's jumper. Leeds going wide

looking for a consolation at the end. Golding now. Great offload.

Golding will find his way to the tryline. The referee is going to the

big screen. Well, he thinks a try. I would agree. Don't think this will

take too many looks. Here is the video referee. OK. So, he has got

hold of the ball there. He reaches out. Reaches out, that's touched the

line. It's touched the line. I need to see it please on the first

occasion slow, please. It ends up short but I think it comes back.

Yeah. Yeah. Looks like it's touching the line there. It's touched the

line on the first occasion. I am OK with that. It's a try. This is going

to be Ashton Golding's first try of of the season. Given the

circumstances, it's not going to be one that he will celebrate, I

shouldn't think. Two points added. 43-24 is the scoreline. Pure

consolation for the Rhinos, but credit to Golden Jubilee. Golding

has had a decent -- but credit to them. They've been outplayed in all

honesty. They really have. They've contributed Leeds, but it's been a

sensational performance from Hull FC. Really has. Not a bad player

amongst the 17. There's been stellar performances within there, as well.

The most impressive thing, everybody knows their role and I think they've

played superbly as a team, as well. They're waiting for a kick. You

would have thought in the circumstances Marc Sneyd would have

just put the ball down and booted it. But ever the perfectionist,

there is still 36 seconds to go! He waits for the tee to kick it

properly. So here we go. Last 35 seconds of

the game. Hull's party's already begun. What a performance,

especially in this second half. Leeds will keep it, keep it moving

to the last but it's put out of play there, Ryan Hall. I think that will

be the moment to wave the white flag now. The scrum has been signalled by