Donald scored a sensational 80m try in the second half

Champions Leeds produced a stirring second-half recovery to power their way to fine win over Hull at Headingley.

Hull took a 18-4 lead at half-time thanks to tries from Willie Manu, Graeme Horne and Danny Tickle, with Keith Senior scoring for the Rhinos.

But the home side hit back after the break through two tries each from Scott Donald, Rob Burrow and Gareth Ellis.

Kevin Sinfield added 10 points to take him to second in Leeds' all-time leading points scorer list with 1,885.

The Rhinos captain surpassed Joe Thompson's mark when he added the extras after Donald's first try, a sensational 80m score which brought the 16,000 to their feet.

However, the home side had struggled as pinpoint kicking from Hull scrum-half Adam Dykes set up Hull's three first-half scores.

606: DEBATE Our team were shown for what they are tonight - a very promising bunch of players but not quite a team yet Kassira06

But buoyed by Senior's late first-half score, Leeds turned on the style after the interval with Burrow and Donald touching down.

The Rhinos took advantage of a yellow card for Dykes on 54 minutes when second row Ellis powered over, with Sinfield's kick levelling the scores.

Although a Tickle penalty put the visitors in front, Leeds regained the lead when Donald collected Webb's long pass for his second score of the evening.

A break from Sinfield created Ellis' second score before Burrow's try rounded off the evening and secure a hard-fought win.

Leeds coach Brian McClennan:

"At half-time we were fairly confident we could get back in the game and I thought there were some really good efforts by the players.

"It was a good experience to be behind, to learn that, if we stick to what we believe in, we will get there in the end."

Hull coach Richard Agar:

"We were down to our last 17 men standing so it was a brave effort.

"There were tons of positives but we've also got to learn from our mistakes. We were 18-0 up and started playing like we were 40-0 up instead of sticking with what was working for us.

"I thought it was very reminiscent of what we did against Bradford last week but you can't keep giving back-to-back sets to quality opposition."

Leeds: Webb, Hall, Ablett, Senior, Donald, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Bailey, Anselme, Ellis, Sinfield. Replacements: Scruton, Tansey, Burgess, Jones-Buchanan.

Hull: Byrne, Sing, G. Horne, Yeaman, Briscoe, Hall, Dykes, Dowes, Houghton, Carvell, Manu, Radford, Tickle. Replacements: Wheeldon, Burnett, Dale, Thackray.

Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield)