Salford v Hull.

It doesn’t just rain on Salford in 2025 it absolutely chucks it down. Sunday saw the visit of St.Helens and in the first 15 minutes of the match the Red Devils only managed one set of six. Saints built up a 0-16 lead and a pretty weak refereeing display from James Vella didn’t really help us. Nothing seems to go your way when you’re at the bottom. Let’s take nothing away from Paul Wellens and his team which had quite a few young and inexperienced players in there too. Saints were clinical and moved the ball to both flanks with their flamboyant style of play. 

The Salford faithful didn’t have much to cheer in either halves but once again the shining lights were the young players who continue to impress in very adverse circumstances. 

Harvey Wilson ran his blood to water, Nathan Connell was very assured particularly in defence. Jonny Vaughan came up with some real big plays and Kai Morgan was at the heart of everything in the middle of the pitch. Tiaki Chan has been superb on loan from Wigan and never takes a backward step. Chan is a fiery character with a terrific work rate. I’d love to see him stay at Salford beyond 2025. Toby Warren played at centre after Paul Rowley was forced to shuffle his side round. Warren worked hard and continues to grow in confidence. Jack Ormondroyd as usual played big minutes in another heroic display and this week I think captain Ryan Brierley deserves a special mention. I saw a photo of Ryan after the match and you could see the upset in his face.

It took 78minutes for the rainbow to arrive in the Saints game. Sam Hill chipped through over the Saints defence from a drop out before regaining possession. Salford attacked down the right edge with Hill finishing superbly to score his first senior try for the Red Devils. A very proud moment for Sam and his family and I really hope he stays with Salford and builds a successful career. I left the match again with a smile on my face. We’ve definitely got something to build on.

I spoke to Rowley after the match and he was very disappointed with Sam Stone and his decision not to play. I get that all the players have been put in a very difficult and volatile situation this season. Every player will have his own limit to what he can take and perhaps Stone has just reached the point where he’s had enough. I’ve never known a season like this before so it’s hard to judge players on their actions. I’d of liked him to stay and fight for the supporters but if his heart is not in it their is no point him being at the club. 

With Stone joining Warrington two players have come the opposite way to join Salford. Dan Russell has signed on loan for the remainder of the year whilst Tom Whitehead has joined on an initial four-week loan but will not be eligible to play against Warrington when the two sides meet on 4th July. 

Hull are now coached by former Australian Test forward John Cartwright.

Salford supporters with long memories might remember John playing for us in the 1997 season. The first time I saw him on television playing for the Kangaroos he looked huge along with his back row partner Paul Sironen. I can remember prior to our first Super League match of 1997 we played Castleford away at Wheldon Road in the Challenge Cup. Cartwright came out to warm up at the old railway end of the ground where me and my dad were stood. I’d never seen a player look as big as that. Just watching him stretch and get ready he looked the part. Once the game kicked off he didn’t disappoint. A ferocious runner with a fantastic ability to offload the ball. He was such a strong bloke in both attack and defence. Just what you’d expect from a Test match player. 

Sadly he broke his arm against Sheffield Eagles at the Willows and missed a chunk of the season. I am not sure what happened at the end of 1997, I desperately wanted him to do the 1998 season but he returned to Australia to take up coaching. 

With over 20 years experience coaching in Australia working alongside the likes of Ricky Stuart, Paul Green and Kevin Walters, Cartwright has hit the ground running in Humberside gaining ultimate respect from the Hull FC supporters. The Airlie birds are a completely different team in 2025. They look fitter, stronger and more organised. It goes without saying they are definitely in the hunt for the playoffs. 

Super League home record.

Salford 14

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

2024 Salford 22 Hull 20

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  Monday 30th August 2021.

Super Sio rips Hull to pieces.

Salford 42 Hull 14

It was a short turnaround for both clubs after Thursday evenings matches. Salford and Hull came into the match on the back of home defeats. The Airlie birds still had a chance of making the playoffs but couldn’t afford a slip up. Salford were playing for pride now and aiming to finish as high up the table as possible.

The weather threatened a shower and was slighter cooler than of late and a gentle breeze whipped around the stadium prior to kick off.

After a bruising encounter with Catalans on Thursday Salford had a few players needing some recovery time.

The two Tongan boys Tui Lolohea and Ata Hingano were the chosen halfback partnership with Chris Atkin moving to hooker to replace Andy Ackers. Joe Burgess returned on the wing. Ellis Robson came into the starting thirteen trading places with Ryan Lannon who started on the bench.

Hull had Ben McNamara and Marc Sneyd in the halves with the evergreen Danny Houghton at hooker. Jake Connor started at fullback and Andre Savelio son of former Salford forward from the 1990s Lokenio Savelio started in the back row.

Conceding penalties has been Salford’s Achilles heal all season and it was only a matter of seconds before were awarded their first of the afternoon.

Moments later Ligi Sao brushed off some weak tackling to opening the scoring for Hull. Marc Sneyd tagged the two points on from the conversion 0-6.

After a Hull knock on inside their own half Salford built pressure with repeat sets. A lovely pass floated out to Ken Sio who finished well in the corner. Krisnan Inu levelled the scores with a wonderful conversion off the touch line.

Joe Burgess came close to scoring but was inches short after out leaping the Hull defence superbly.

A Marc Sneyd penalty goal nudged Hull back in front 6-8.

Salford hit the front with a fabulous try, Chris Atkin kicked for Burgess on the left who offloaded to Dan Sarginson. Sarginson then thumped a cross field kick to Sio who chipped through, followed his own kick to score. The Supporters were on their feet and rightly so. Salford went in at the break with a deserved 12-8 advantage.

Sio and Morgan Escare were penalised for obstruction deep in their own half. Hull took full advantage from the penalty. Sneyd kicked through, the ball hit the padding on the post to catch Hingano off guard and Houghton levelled the scores with the try. Sneyd converted to give Hull a 12-14 lead with half an hour remaining.

Salford continued to press and Escare came very close to scoring. Ken Sio went hunting for his hat trick try and forced a drop out with another teasing kick.

Hingano was caught high in a tackle, the referee placed the incident on report but no penalty was given. Salford didn’t need one though as Chris Atkin opened up the Hull defence to dart over and the lead changed hands once again.

It was another kick that led to Salford’s next try. Hull were all at sea and Harvey Livett touched down to increase the lead. Inu converted to give the home side a ten point lead.

Moments later Hingano and Lolohea linked up well to send flying winger Joe Burgess through. He put his foot on the pedal to beat the Hull defence. Inu converted, 30-14.

On the next set Salford were untouchable, Ken Sio completed his hat trick running rings round to Hull defenders.

Ken Sio grabbed his fourth try to put the tin hat on the match. Racing away after a clever pass from Inu. That man Inu made seven out of seven with his conversions to crown a famous Salford win.

A super performance from the Red Devils, Ellis Robson, Sam Luckley, Josh Johnson and Greg Burke all played big minutes in the pack working their socks off. Harvey Livett and Ryan Lannon put massive shifts in. A real team performance that delighted the home supporters.

The teams that day,

Salford, Escare, Sio, Inu, Sarginson, Burgess, Lolahea, Hingano, Ormondroyd, Atkin, Johnson, Livett, Robson, Burke.

Subs, Luckley, Roberts, Lannon, Addy.

Hull, Connor, Swift, Scott, Wynne, Faraimo, McNamara, Sneyd, Satae, Houghton, Sao, Savelio, Ma’u, Lane.

Subs, Bowden, Fash, Fonua, Johnstone.

Referee, Scott Mikalauskas.

Sunday’s match.

Once again Salford will be underdogs in this match. Hull slipped up last weekend against Castleford and having seen a few of their games this season they have areas that can be exploited. Joe Mellor came close to playing last Sunday but missed out with hamstring troubles which seem to be really niggling him at the moment. Mellor would easily slot in at hooker or half back adding an extra slice of creativity. 

Shane Wright returned from injury last Sunday and worked hard playing big minutes. Wright will now be looking to get a consistent run of games in the side with the same to be said for Chris Hill. 

Hull Fc were very busy on the recruitment front in the close season. Cade Cust and Amir Bourouh both left Salford for Hull and look set to feature this weekend. Ed Chamberlain is also at Hull. He spent a few seasons at Salford before moving to Leigh. 

Hull have been a bit of an enigma as far as home and away form goes in 2025. Seven wins out of eight away but only one draw at home with five defeats. 

All eyes will be on the squad that Paul Rowley picks on Friday diner time. I would expect the two loan signings to be in there and fingers crossed we see the return of Joe Mellor too. 

The action gets underway at 3pm. Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside. 

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