Salford v Hull Big Match Preview
Although this match is Salford’s home fixture it will once again be played behind closed. This coming weekend all the matches will be played at St.Helens.
The round one fixtures were very exciting with some really close games and plenty of thrilling tries scored. Catalans threw away a commanding lead against Hull Kingston Rovers but credit to the Robins they fought back brilliantly only to be denied in golden point extra time.
Leigh’s match against Wigan was a real game of two halves and the Wakefield v Leeds match another cracking contest.
Salford were beaten by St.Helens on Friday night in the opening match 29-6. The score line doesn’t really tell the whole story.
With an hour on the clock Saints lead 13-6. Individual errors and a lack of composure cost Salford dearly. Saints like Salford looked a little clunky in the early stages and took a while to move through the gears. James Roby and Johnny Lomax cranked up their engines with two all action performances to steer Saints to victory.
The Red Devils and their supporters don’t need to be to hard on themselves. New coach Richard Marshall still needs to work out his best side and these things can take time. There was enough positives in that match to suggest the season will go well. Elijah Taylor and Danny Addy both impressed on debut but for Krisnan Inu it was a night to forget with a few costly errors leading to tries for Saints.
With plenty of possession in the first half Salford did look dangerous but lacked that killer touch near the line.
This weeks opponents are Hull. They got off to a flyer last Sunday storming into a 12-0 in the first quarter. Leading 22-0 with just over ten minutes to go Huddersfield scored a couple of late tries but new Hull coach Brett Hodgson got off-to a winning start. It’s fair to say Hodgson has quite a bit of expectation on his shoulders over on the West side of Hull.
The final match of round one saw Castleford beat Warrington in what was an impressive display. Niall Evalds scored a try on his debut for the Tigers and another former Salford player Jordan Turner grabbed a brace. Surprisingly Turner played on the wing which is a position he’s not played in since his Salford days over a decade ago.
Super League home record.
Salford 10
Draws 0
Hull 13
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.
They played for both.
Over the years there’s been quite a few players to represent both clubs, here are a few pre-Super League era as well.
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
Saturday’s match.
As I mentioned before Hull had an excellent start last weekend beating Huddersfield. New signing Josh Reynolds has lots of NRL experience and could he be the missing piece of the jigsaw. Marc Sneyd is a very accomplished scrum half and if his partnership with Reynolds can click the rest of the side can flourish off the back of that.
Hull have a new head coach, former Warrington and Huddersfield star Brett Hodgson. The Australian is fondly remembered for his playing time in England having won the Man of Steel with the Giants and the Lance Todd Trophy with the Wolves respectively. Hodgson also had a great career in the NRL playing for Western Suburbs, Parramatta and Wests Tigers. A fantastic goal kicker and try scorer he was picked to represent New South Wales in the State of Origin series between 2002 and 2006. Having recently worked as an assistant coach at Wests, Hodgson is now taking his big chance in the Super League.
After last weeks match Salford supporters will have a keen eye on Richard Marshall’s squad selection when the announcement is made.
If Tui Lolohea and Kevin Brown can keep there partnership progressing Salford have the firepower in their back line to give any team trouble. Ken Sio proved last week that if you give him half a chance that’s all he needs. One player who also impressed me last Friday was Elliot Kear. The Welshman was brave in defence and did everything asked of him, returning the ball with real enthusiasm.
This is going to be another big test for the Red Devils. Hull have a big pack of forwards and their back line is just as powerful. Jake Connor is an elusive player with bags of talent and he seems to have found his favoured position at fullback.
Easter is a traditional time for Rugby League and it’s been a fair few years since Salford didn’t play on Good Friday. Who could forget the Easter Thursday match at Leigh in 2008! It took us all a week to dry out! With just the one fixture this Easter Salford’s match with Hull is a dinner time kick off this Saturday.
The action gets under at 12:15.
Keep safe and enjoy the match.
Paul Whiteside.l
Pictures by Steve McCormick
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