Leeds Rhinos are up and running in this season's Super League with an opening-weekend victory over Hull Kingston Rovers.

The Loiners came out on top 40-30 at Craven Park in a thrilling battle which saw the lead swing both ways in a 12-try contest.

Tom Briscoe opened the scoring inside the opening minute for the Rhinos after being picked out by Kallum Watkins, although in a sign of things to come Hull hit back almost immediately through Albert Kelly touching down.

Kingston Rovers scored again on nine minutes when Mitch Allgood charged through, and things were soon even better for the hosts as Kelly added his second of the evening after collecting a grubber kick towards the goal line.

It was then Leeds' turn to pile on the points, first through Kevin Sinfield who touched down between the posts following a break down the middle, with Danny McGuire then opening his account for the campaign on the back of some good interplay from his teammates.

Sinfield converted for a second time to ensure that there was just two points in it as the first half drew towards a conclusion, but there was to be more excitement as Terry Campese charged down his own kick to add try number seven of the opening 40 minutes.

Things continued in much the same way following the restart, Kris Welham intercepting the ball and charging 70 metres to add to the scoring and extend the Robins' lead.

But from that point on it was all about Brian McDermott's men as McGuire and Watkins crossed over, the latter producing a brilliant piece of centre play to help him through, while Zak Hardaker dramatically gave Leeds the advantage.

Hull pushed to find a response, but it was to be the Rhinos' day thanks to McGuire opening up the opposition defence and playing in replacement Brad Singleton to round off the scoring in a match of high drama.