It was top against bottom as Hull FC entertained a Leeds Rhinos side playing for form as they readied themselves for the middle eights.

The Rhinos gave a debut to new hooker to James Segeyaro who arrived at Headingley in a swap deal for last seasons Man of Steel, Zak Hardaker.

But all the smart money was on the Hull FC maintaining their top of the table position with just two more games left to the split.

The Rhinos got off to a brilliant start when Rob Burrow put Liam Sutcliffe over from five metres after just three minutes. Sutcliffe failed to convert the try.

FC were back level after twenty minutes when the Rhinos defence opened up for the first time and Carlos Tuimavave went through a gap to stretch over and score. Mark Sneyd kicked the extras from just left of the uprights to edge his side 6-4 into the lead.

The lead was extended on thirty-two when Kirk Yeaman found his way through three weak Leeds tackles to score wide left. Sneyd converted brilliantly from the touchline for a 12-4 lead. Seven seconds before the interval Sneyd kicked a thirty metre drop goal to extend the half time lead by one.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan had a try ruled out of forty-four but four minutes later Ryan Hall caught a Burrow kick to the corner and passed back to Joel Moon to scamper over in the corner. Sutcliffe again failed to convert but at 8-13 the Rhinos were just a converted try behind the league leaders.

Sneyd kicked a penalty goal for 15-8 after a high tackle from Adam Cuthbertson.

On seventy-one Kallum Watkins picked up a Joel Moon grubber as it ricocheted back off a Hull leg to dive over for the Rhinos third try. Sutcliffe added the extras and the only difference between the two sides was the Marc Sneyd drop goal.

The Rhinos hit the front when Watkins hit a Segeyaro pass at speed to get his second of the game. Sutcliffe missed the kick and the Rhinos had four minutes to hold on for a famous victory. When Hull held down in tackle as the final hooter sounded, Ryan Sutcliffe took the invitation to goal for a 20-15 win.

Whilst this was not the kind of performance from Hull FC that we've become accustomed to in 2016, the Rhinos did something that many others have failed to do this season and took two points off The Airlie Birds. All credit to the Rhinos, they dug deep and thoroughly deserved the win, which will boost their morale going into the middle eights.

FC: Shaul, Michaels, Fonua, Yeaman (T), Talanoa, Tuimavave (T), Sneyd (3G, DG), Taylor, Houghton, Watts, Manu, Minichiello, Hadley. Subs: Thompson, Bowden, Downs, Washbrook.

Rhinos: Sutcliffe (T, 2G), Handley, Watkins (2T), Moon (T), Hall, Lilley, Burrow, Galloway, Segeyaro, Garbutt, Achurch, Ablett, Singleton. Subs: Cuthbertson, Delaney, Keinhorst, Jones-Buchanan.

Referee: Chris Campbell.

Attendance: