Hull FC went down fighting at the AJ Bell Stadium with twelve first team players missing, but Salford’s quality told in the end as the Red Devils saw off a spirited fightback from the Black & Whites.
Tries from Will Smith, Brad Fash & Jake Connor weren’t enough for Hull as the hosts hit back with five of their own, eventually running out 28-18 victors.
Team News
Brett Hodgson made five changes from the side that went down last week to Wakefield Trinity, welcoming back Kane Evans and Jake Connor from one match suspensions. There was also a debut for former West Hull prop Will Gardiner, the fifteenth graduate of FC’s Academy to feature in the first team in 2022. Fellow Academy graduate Denive Balmforth and Jordan Johnstone also returned to Hodgson’s side.
Several of those changes for Hull’s coach were enforced, losing Danny Houghton, Joe Lovodua and Manu Ma’u to season ending injuries, whilst youngsters Harvey Barron and Matty Laidlaw made way.
Those injuries took Hull’s missing tally to twelve.
Salford coach Paul Rowley made two changes to his matchday 17, with Shane Wright returning in place of Sita Akauola, whilst Rhys Williams took Joe Burgess’ place on the left wing.
The Match
Salford enjoyed the better of the first half in possession and territory, but Brett Hodgson would have been the happier of the two coaches going into the break as his troops led thanks to tries from Will Smith and Brad Fash and two goals from Luke Gale.
Salford broke the deadlock just shy of the quarter of an hour mark as Kallum Watkins made the Red Devils pressure tell after five back to back sets with penalties and drop outs.
Will Smith struck back for the Airlie Birds shortly afterwards. With Hull’s first use of the ball for a long time the Black & Whites were awarded their first penalty of the night, which Luke Gale sent into Salford’s half. Kane Evans and then Ligi Sao produced neat offloads, the second finding Will Smith, and his right foot step sent him through a gap in the Salford line and under the posts.
Rhys Williams was the next to cross less than five minutes later. Salford forced another drop out and this time were able to make the pressure tell. The Red Devils kept the ball alive on the last tackle, moved the ball to the left and the Welshman squeezed over in the corner.
Despite more pressure from Salford, Hull were clinical in the way they ended the half, Brad Fash drawing Brett Hodgson’s side level with his second try of the season.
Will Smith sent a bomb spiralling into the night sky which Salford allowed to bounce in goal, Ellis Longstaff and the Ryan Brierley made a play for it, but it was Fash who was able to pounce and score for Hull.
There was time for Luke Gale to add a penalty goal before the interval, Hull awarded a penalty for a Lafai offence whilst in possession and Gale knocking Hull in front at the break.
Half Time: Salford Red Devils 10 – 12 Hull FC
The second half continued much the same way as the first, with Hull defending resolutely, but Salford perhaps having the better of the clash, with tries from Sio, Cross and Brierley enough for the Red Devils, despite a late comeback attempt by the Black & Whites.
Salford struck first in the second half. Hull made an error coming out of their own end and Salford made them pay.
Moving the ball to their right, Ryan Brierley skipped outside his man and had the composure to find Ken Sio with an offload. The Kiwi still had work to do but managed to get over in the corner.
Salford again made Hull pay with a clinical set. This time Hull missed a good attacking opportunity as Luke Gale’s kick to Davy Litten was slightly too strong and went touch in goal.
From the 7 tackle set Salford sent the ball to their right, this time for Deon Cross who stepped in field and raced away under the posts.
Hull force an error from Salford inside their own half and are good enough to convert that territory into points. Moving the ball to the left Luke Gale managed to get a late pass to Will Smith, and Smith’s pass to Jake Connor was even later but timed perfectly to give Hull hope with just over five minutes on the clock.
However, despite a spirited comeback attempt that wasn’t to be enough for Hull and the clock ran out on the Black & Whites, with Ryan Brierley crossing after the hooter to make the final scoreline flatter Paul Rowley’s men.
Full Time: Salford Red Devils 28 – 18 Hull FC
The Lineups:
Salford Red Devils: Ryan Brierley, Ken Sio, Deon Cross, Tim Lafai, Rhys Williams, Brodie Croft, Marc Sneyd, Tyler Dupree, Andy Ackers, Jack Ormondroyd, Elijah Taylor, Kallum Watkins, Alex Gerrard; Chris Atkin, Ryan Lannon, Sam Luckley, Shane Wright
Hull FC: Jake Connor, Davy Litten, Connor Wynne, Ellis Longstaff, Mitieli Vulikijapani, Will Smith, Luke Gale, Kane Evans, Jordan Johnstone, Scott Taylor, Jordan Lane, Brad Fash, Ligi Sao; Ben McNamara, Chris Satae, Denive Balmforth, Will Gardiner
Scorers:
Salford Red Devils: Kallum Watkins, Rhys Williams, Ken Sio, Dean Cross, Ryan Brierley | Marc Sneyd 4/5
Hull FC: Will Smith, Brad Fash, Jake Connor | Luke Gale 3/4
Campbell Engineering Man of the Match: Will Smith
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