Salford v Hull.

So far in 2024 it’s been a season to forget for Hull. They parted company with coach Tony Smith after a dismal start to the season. Perhaps their is a lot more than meets the eye on the West Side of Hull regarding the clubs plight of recent years.

Despite just two victories so far this season the Airlie Birds have some fantastic young players in their side including Jack Charles. He’s the son of former Salford and Hull Kingston Rovers forward Chris Charles. Chris became a huge favourite with the Salford supporters after signing for the club prior to the 2003 season and spent four successful seasons at the Willows before moving on. Young Jack is just eighteen years old and the progress he’s made so far this season is credit to his work ethic and the youth development at Hull Fc.

Another positive bit of news for our visitors is the appointment of their new coach for 2025. Former Kangaroo John Cartwright will lead the team next season. John is a former Salford player from the 1997 season, our first in the Super League. A big powerful second row man with a wonderful offload he made a fantastic start to life with Salford before breaking his arm and missing a chunk of the season. Despite his injury his time at Salford is still fondly remembered and if you speak to any of his team mates from that era they will tell you what an ultimate professional he was.

Salford’s 2024 so far has been very good. 10 victories already sees the Red Devils in a very healthy league position of fifth place. The team are playing with lots of confidence and showed that in sensational fashion in big wins over Warrington and St.Helens in June.

The Red Devils were without fullback Ryan Brierley again last time out with Chris Hankinson continuing his good form. Tim Lafai pulled out in the warm up against St.Helens but Sam Stone did a terrific job moving into the centre position. Everyone knows this Salford squad is light on numbers but one thing that’s not lacking is versatility.

Hull have certainly improved as this season has gone on. Towards the back end of may they pushed Castleford and Huddersfield close away from home. In June a victory over Leeds was followed by just a six point defeat at home to Warrington, this shows they are beginning to compete in matches so Salford need to approach this game with the same intensity of recent weeks.

Super home record

Salford 13

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

2023 Salford 29 Hull 22

They played for both.

Here’s a selection of players to who’ve represented 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 Saturday 28th February 2015.

Salford 32 Hull 28.

This match was a real thriller under the lights on a Saturday night at the AJ Bell Stadium. Two tries in the opening seven minutes gave put Salford on the front foot. Niall Evalds and Theo Fages touched down. Jordan Rankin touched down for Hull before Evalds grabbed his second try in the 26th minute.

Hull were provided with a late lifeline in the half when Adrian Morley flew into a tackle high on Dean Hadley, following an off the ball spat between Marc Sneyd and Darrell Griffin, which saw the Devils prop walking to the sin bin.

Salford clocked off defensively right on half time to allow Jordan Thompson to reduce the deficit to 16-14 at the break.

Hull upped the anti in the second half and really took the game to their hosts.

The pressure eventually told, when Sa pounced on a Leon Pryce grubber kick that ricocheted off Niall Evalds to give the Airlie Birds the lead for the first time in the match. Sneyd dragged his effort but Lee Radford’s men had grafted hard to earn a winning position at 16-18.

As the match entered the final quarter it was end to end action. Josh Griffin scored a nice try to regain the Salford lead 22-18.

A moment of genius from Rangi Chase three minutes later saw Salford increase that lead with Griffin again the man on the end of the move to score in the same corner. His conversion extending the score to 28-18.

Thompson scores his second try as the game entered the final stages. Hull were now just four points behind 28-24.

Salford’s response was imminent , Junior Sa’u grasping Chase’s pass out the back of the tackle to make it 32-24. Surely that was thank you and good night.

Hull kept on probing and winger Tom Lineham touched down with just two minutes remaining to give the game a very nervous ending. Salford just about hung on to win a very enjoyable match.

The teams that night;

Salford: Salford: Evalds, Caton-Brown, J.Griffin, Sa’u, Johnson, Chase, Fages, Taylor, Lee, Tasi, Hanson, Hauraki, J.Walne

Subs: Morley, D.Griffin, Hood, A.Walne

Hull: Rankin, Lineham, Sa, Yeaman, Talanoa, Sneyd, Pryce, Paea, Houghton, Watts, Hadley, Minichiello, Westerman

Subs: Green, Cunningham, Thompson, Whiting

Referee, Tim Roby

Attendance, 3,606.

Sunday’s match.

As I write this midweek we still don’t know what Paul Rowley’s squad will be but as previously mentioned Tim Lafai looks set to be sidelined for a number of weeks. Chris Hankinson has been superb at fullback but could he move to centre or will Sam Stone play there again? Stone looks at home in the pack or the three quarters. He’s a terrific defender and an intelligent player on the ball with a good turn of pace.

Marc Sneyd is so pivotal to this Salford team. At the age of thirty three Sneyd is playing some of the best Rugby of his career. He has the ability to control a match, slowing it down and speeding it up to whatever pace he deems necessary. He enjoyed a good chunk of his career playing for Hull where he won two Challenge Cup finals and two Lance Todd Trophies in 2016 and 2017.

Former Leigh and Hull Kingston Rovers half back Ben Reynolds is now with Hull and he’s starting to form a partnership with Jake Trueman. A settled halfback pairing is vital to any side and it’s no coincidence that Hull struggled at the start of the season without the injured Trueman.

Tom Briscoe is back at Hull after a mid season move from Leigh. Briscoe is a very experienced player with a brilliant try record at every club he’s played for. Young hooker Den Balmforth is a player to watch. The exciting twenty year old has just agreed a new contract with Hull and the Airlie Birds have signed Salford hooker Amir Bourouh for 2025.

The bookmakers have Salford as favourites with Hull having a twelve point start on the betting coupon. The Red Devils have very good home form in 2024 with six wins from eight matches. Only Wigan have taken points away from the City of Salford so far.

The action gets under way at 3pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.