After a two week break Salford were back in action against an ever improving Hull FC. With Tim Lafai and Nene McDonald missing the Red Devils had to make changes. Ryan Brierley returned at full back with Kallum Watkins and Chris Hankinson moving in the centres. Loghan Lewis started at prop with Amir Bourouh returning on the bench.

Hull have a very bright crop of young players with Logan May at full back and Will Kirby made his debut for the Airlie Birds at second row. Jake Trueman partnered the much travelled Ben Reynolds in halves with experienced hooker Danny Houghton starting.

The match started in very cagey fashion, chances were limited but Loghan Lewis caught the eye with his lung busting runs and bone crunching tackles. 

Hull defended well and were very well organised as they kept Salford at bay. The Red Devils began to find their stride and after knocking on the door eventually took the lead through a Deon Cross try out wide. Marc Sneyd failed to convert, 4-0.

Cross then knocked the kick off on and Hull applied the pressure forcing a repeat set. Reynolds took his chance ghosting in from a set scrum. He added the goal to nudge the visitors in front 4-6.

Right on the half time hooter Ryan Brierley kicked through close to the visitors line in what was a real chance. Referee Chris Kendall adjudged Tom Briscoe to have taken Brierley out off the ball. Briscoe got sin binned and Sneyd levelled the score at 6-6 at the break.

Salford made the extra man count with Briscoe missing for the first ten minutes of the second half. A lovely Sneyd kick created a try for Brierley and on the next set Sneyd kicked a forty/twenty to give Salford the field position to attack. The ball went right and the numbers counted with players queuing up to score. Hankinson went over and with Sneyd converting Salford looked in complete control 18-6.

Another Salford mistake followed this time King Vuniyayawa knocking on near his own line. Young hooker Den Balmforth caught the hosts cold to force his way over.

Brierley came close to scoring his second try off a lovely Partington offload. The Salford full back lost his footing and the ball went loose.

On the hour Sneyd converted a penalty to restore a two score advantage at 20-12 and he almost got a try but was held up by some terrific last ditch defending from Hull. 

The visitors just wouldn’t go away but at times they were assisted by poor play and mistakes from Salford. Partington’s attempt to charge a kick down handed another attacking opportunity to Hull and they took it with both hands. Jordan Lane crashed over but Reynolds pulled the kick wide, 20-16.

With a slender four point lead the Salford were rocking slightly. Sneyd tried to calm the situation and his experience shone through at times. With seven minutes remaining he kicked a penalty to edge Salford to a six point lead but Lewis Martin responded moments later catching Salford asleep out wide with Hull’s fourth try of the afternoon. Reynolds kicked from the touch line to level the match but the roar from the South Stand told you he pulled it wide. 

Salford failed to play the final minute out by coming up with yet another error. The supporters held their breath but it was some how just enough as the final hooter sounded. 

Perhaps a draw would have been a fair result with Hull out scoring Salford four tries to three. In the cold light of day it’s another priceless two points for the Red Devils in their 2024 journey. Salford coach Paul Rowley was full of praise for a very hard working and improving Hull side. He was also delighted with his own sides efforts with key players missing. 

Salford travel to Perpignan next Saturday to face Catalans in what should be another thriller. The quest for the playoffs is on and Paul Rowley’s side are well in the mix with the best sides in the competition!

Salford 22 Hull FC 20.

Paul Whiteside

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.