Salford v Hull Match Report
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 lead.
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.
Salford 42 Hull 14
Pictures by Steve McCormick
Comments
Post a Comment