Salford v Hull.

After last weekends cup drama Salford return to league action against an improving Hull team that are starting to hit form. Last Saturday Huddersfield made more comebacks than a pair of flares but Salford just about clung on to progress through to the quarterfinals. It’s always great to score tries but Paul Rowley will be looking to tighten up the defence this Sunday.

With Jake’s Trueman and Clifford in the halves the Airlie Birds are hardly recognisable from the team that started the season. They look so much more organised and on attack look very threatening.

Hull have now won four games on the trot following on from seven successive defeats.

Marc Sneyd was once again accurate as ever with his goal kicking last Saturday. A perfect seven from seven conversions and a try made Sneyd’s contribution very valuable to the victory. His organisation and leadership skills play a massive part in this Salford side. Sneyd and half back partner Brodie Croft have a terrific understanding.

Both Hull and Salford have been awarded tricking looking ties in the Challenge Cup Quarter finals. Hull will face St.Helens while Salford travel to East Hull to face Hull Kingston Rovers. The Red Devils last met Rovers in the Quarter Finals back in 1981. After beating top dogs of the time Bradford Northern and Leigh, Salford were beaten at Craven Park 18-9 in front of over 14,000 supporters.

Super League home Record.

Salford 12

Draws 0

Hull 14

1998 Salford 12 Hull 4

1999 Salford 38 Hull 18

2000 Salford 30 Hull 22

2000 Salford 33 Hull 24

2001 Salford 24 Hull 36

2002 Salford 10 Hull 24

2004 Salford 20 Hull 44

2004 Salford 8 Hull 12

2005 Salford 12 Hull 22

2006 Salford 20 Hull 24

2007 Salford 18 Hull 35

2009 Salford 14 Hull 18

2010 Salford 27 Hull 20

2011 Salford 16 Hull 32

2012 Salford 24 Hull 22

2013 Salford 18 Hull 24

2014 Salford 35 Hull 22

2015 Salford 32 Hull 28

2016 Salford 20 Hull 28

2017 Salford 10 Hull 34

2018 Salford 24 Hull 8

2019 Salford 16 Hull 23

2020 Salford 54 Hull 18 (played behind closed doors at Headingley).

2021 Salford 4 Hull 35 ( played behind closed doors at Langtree Park).

2021 Salford 42 Hull 14

2022 Salford 28 Hull 18

They played for both.

Here are a selection of players who have played for both clubs;

Paul Fletcher, Richie Barnett, Brian Blacker, Jodie Broughton, Craig Coleman, Josh Griffin, Brad Hepi, Mark Johnson, Daniel Holdsworth, Alan Hunte, Stuart Howarth, Warren Jowitt, Tommy Lee, Ryan Mcgoldrick, Craig Murdock, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Tommy Saxton, Scott Taylor, Jordan Turner, Martin Gleeson and Marc Sneyd.

A match to remember Sunday 19th April 1998.

Salford 12 Hull 4.

After the heroics of the 1997 season Salford coach Andy Gregory had made some exciting signings for the new season. London Broncos had finished 2nd place in the table in 97 and for Salford to sign there star scrum half Josh White, really showed a statement of intent.

A good cup run to the semi final had preceded the start of the league campaign. A close opening Super League defeat at The Willows 14-18 to St Helens was followed by a magnificent display at Wilderspool thumping Warrington 4-37. Hull were the new boys in the top flight after being promoted the previous season with Huddersfield.

Salford had already beaten Hull a month earlier in The Challenge Cup 41-10 but this match was a real close affair.

The late Steve Prescott scored Hull’s only points. Salford’s tries came from Steve Blakeley and the prolific Darren Rogers. Blakeley kicked both conversions. Despite the low score this match was filled with end to end action. Two well drilled defences keeping each other at bay.

After a real promising start to 1998 the season fizzled out. The heart break of the Semi Final defeat hung over the club like a huge black cloud.

The teams that day:

Salford

Broadbent, Mcavoy, Martin, Hassan, Rogers, Blakeley, White, Savelio, Edwards,

E Faimalo, J Faimalo, Bradbury, Hulme.

Subs, Lee, Southern, Forber, Platt.

Hull

Prescott, Smith, Hunte, Hallas, Johnson, Seru, Tomlinson, Okesene, Stephenson, Ireland, Booth, Campbell, Hepi.

Subs, Nolan, Leatham, Temu, Schultz.

Referee, Colin Morris

Attendance, 5227.

Sunday’s match.

If last weekend is anything to go by this match could be slightly unpredictable. Both sides have scored points in recent matches but have leaked plenty as well. You would expect a high scoring encounter but Rugby League doesn’t always work that way.

We’ve already mentioned Hull and there halfbacks but they also have plenty of threats in the back line. Winger Adam Swift has been in good form recently and Liam Sutcliffe is settling in after his move from Leeds. Veteran hooker Danny Houghton is in his seventeenth season with the club which is a remarkable achievement.

Hull coach Tony Smith knows the English game inside out having previously coached Huddersfield, Leeds, Warrington and Hull Kingston Rovers. Smith has enjoyed a fair amount of success winning the Challenge Cup, Super League and World Club Challenge as well as tasting defeat in both domestic finals. Smith has also coached Great Britain and led them to a 3-0 test series victory over New Zealand in 2007.

It’s an exciting few months for Salford and there supporters. A trip to Castleford will be followed by the Magic weekend game against Hull Kingston Rovers then a trip to face the Robins away in the Challenge Cup Quarter finals.

The action gets under way at 3pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.