Hull v Salford.

It’s been a miserable season on the West side of Hull in 2024. The Airlie birds have won just three matches in the Super League so far and to add insult to injury over on the East side of the City the Robins are chasing a Grand Final. Hull FC were one of the teams to beat back in the 1980s. A host of overseas stars became house hold hames and the club won plenty of silverware and reached a fair few finals. As the decade ended the club went into a decline in the 1990s before gaining promotion to Super League at the end of the 1997 season. After leaving their spiritual home ground the Boulevard the club again invested heavily with big name signings and Test players from New Zealand and Australia. A maiden Grand Final appearance in 2006 saw them beaten by St.Helens but under the guidance of Marc Sneyd the club went on to win back to back Challenge Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sneyd picked up the Lance Todd trophy in both finals playing some magnificent Rugby.

Ironically Sneyd left Hull to rejoin Salford at the start of 2022. Hull have finished 8th, 9th and 10th the past three seasons and this year they will finish in the bottom two.

After a tough night at Hull Kingston Rovers, Salford bounced back to winning ways with a big victory over Catalans. The Red Devils have won eleven out of thirteen home matches this season with only Wigan taking points from the City of Salford. That is the clubs best home record in the top flight since the 1975/76 season when we last won the Championship, or last major trophy. 

I heard a pundit say Salford’s home ground was soulless and that’s why opposing teams don’t perform well there. It’s probably one of the cheapest comments I’ve ever heard and the most ridiculous. The way the players celebrate tries with the supporters certainly isn’t soulless in fact it’s pretty unique and special. The connection Salford Rugby League club has between the players and the fans is absolutely magical. I for one wouldn’t swap Salford for any club in the world. I am very proud to have them in my life!

Salford currently sit fourth in the table and if we can stay there that would guarantee a home fixture in the first round of the Playoffs which could be vital. 

I thought the spirit the team showed to beat Catalans was absolutely outstanding. The Dragons were very physical and with that big pack they have the Salford forwards had to work their socks off which they did. Brad Singleton copped a fair amount of criticism after the defeat at Hull Kingston Rovers but he responded in the best way by putting in a huge shift last Saturday night. Joe Mellor rolled back the years with another lung busting display of all action. Joe’s work rate is top notch and he really helps the side get on the front foot.

Marc Sneyd controlled the match and even when veteran Sam Tomkins tried to get under the Devils skin and knock them off their game Salford were wise to it. A thoroughly professional performance delighted the supporters and despite being injured it was great to see Loghan Lewis on the drum celebrating with the supporters at full time. 

I’ve said this a few times but you can’t bottle what this side have got. You can’t buy it either. The whole coaching and back room staff do an amazing job week in week out to keep this team challenging Super League’s elite. 

Super League away record 

Hull 22

Draws 0

Salford 4

1998 Hull 32 Salford 0

1999 Hull 18 Salford 12

2000 Hull 26 Salford 22

2001 Hull 40 Salford 8

2002 Hull 28 Salford 8

2002 Hull 60 Salford 16

2004 Hull 82 Salford 6

2005 Hull 20 Salford 6

2006 Hull 11 Salford 10

2007 Hull 48 Salford 26

2009 Hull 14 Salford 12

2010 Hull 34 Salford 12

2011 Hull 52 Salford 16

2012 Hull 34 Salford 26

2013 Hull 18 Salford 13

2014 Hull 30 Salford 8

2015 Hull 24 Salford 20

2016 Hull 42 Salford 20

2017 Hull 18 Salford 54

2017 Hull 32 Salford 18 (Super Eights)

2018 Hull 45 Salford 14

2019 Hull 35 Salford 32

2019 Hull 22 Salford 44

2020 Hull 22 Salford 28 (played behind closed doors at Warrington).

2022 Hull 48 Salford 16

2023 Hull 14 Salford 60

They played for both.

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, Josh Jones and Marc Sneyd.

A match to remember Friday 7th April 2017.

Hull 18 Salford 54.

Sometimes in sport everything clicks, everything comes off and everything falls into place. On this special night two seasons ago Salford and their supporters at the KCOM stadium were in absolute dreamland. On a ground that had dished out so much pain to Salford and many heavy defeats.

Hull took the lead through winger Shaun Michaels before The Red Devils ran riot. Seven first half tries blew the hosts apart. Every time Salford we’re in possession anything seemed possible. Michael Dobson and Robert Lui worked their magic and a magnificent effort from the pack got the rampaging Red Devils well on the front foot.

Greg Johnson and Craig Kopczak both crossed twice, while Robert Lui, Junior Sa’u and Justin Carney also went over before the break.

Whatever Hull coach Lee Radford said to his players at half time seemed to fire them up for a fight. The home side threatened a comeback with a couple of quick tries but Salford clicked back into gear. Michael Dobson and George Griffin touched down before Ben Murdoch Masila went on a swashbuckling charge to crash over right in front of the delighted travelling Salford supporters.

One or two ghosts were laid to rest that night. Ian Watson remained grounded and humble speaking after the match but had a slight twinkle in his eye!

Hull FC: Shaul; Michaels, Fonua, Griffin, Talanoa; Connor, Sneyd; Bowden, Washbrook, Watts, Manu, Minichiello, Thompson.

Replacements: Green, Turgut, Fash, Litten.

Sin-Bin: Sneyd (35), Shaul (67).

Salford Red Devils : O’Brien; Carney, Sa’u, Welham, Johnson; Lui, Dobson; Mossop, Tomkins, Tasi, Murdoch-Masila, Jones, Flanagan.

Replacements: Kopczak, Griffin, Walne, Carney.

Sin-Bin: Carney (59).

Attendance: 11,016

Referee: Gareth Hewer.

Saturday’s match.

One thing that Salford can’t afford to do this Saturday is underestimate the opposition. When the two sides met in July in the corresponding fixture the Red Devils edged a very tight game 22-20. Hull’s three wins this season have all come in home matches. 28-24 v London, 18-10 v Leeds and 24-22 against Wigan. 

With seven defeats on the trot the team are very low on confidence and have been leaking far to many points. 812 points conceded in a season is pretty dreadful and is more than double that of quite a few sides in Super League. 

Hull were thumped by 68-6 at Leeds last Friday. 

Salford lost Sam Stone to injury in the first quarter of last Saturday’s match. Stone said he may need a scan and faces a race against time to be fit. 

One Hull player who’s impressed me in recent weeks is big Australian forward Jed Cartwright. Jed is the son of former Kangaroo Test player John who played at Salford in 1997. I really enjoyed watching John at Salford and remember his debut in the Challenge Cup away to Castleford that year where he had a terrific game. John will link up with Jed next season when he takes charge at Hull FC as head coach. 

I am not so sure Salford or their supporters enjoy being the favourites going into a match but that’s exactly what they are this week. The bookmakers have given Hull FC a sixteen point start. Rugby League isn’t played on paper though and the way the game has gone this season with yellow and red cards being handed out it only takes one incident to change a match. Every two points is vital and with two games left the two points against Hull are worth the same as the two points against Wigan the week after. Salford don’t want to have to rely on other teams results, when destiny is your own hands you’ve got to go out and snatch it.

The action gets under way at 5:05pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside. 

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