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Hull FC v Salford Red Devil’s.

Salford’s away record on the west side of Hull is a poor one to put it mildly.

With just one league win in the Super League era, but wow it certainly was an emphatic one last season! Hull were promoted to The Super League at the end of the 1997 season after the league title success in the first division. 

Meetings between the two sides from 1998 to 2002 were played at the old Boulevard ground. Our first visit to the new stadium came in May 2004. A day for Salford’s loyal band of supporters to forget after being drubbed 82-6.

Despite our dismal league record we’ve come up with two excellent challenge cup wins at Hull. 18-22 in 2009 and who could forget our golden point extra time win there in 2014, 36-37. Rangi Chase clinching the match with a one pointer. 

Hull have enjoyed success in the challenge cup in recent years lifting the famous trophy in the last two seasons at Wembley 2016,2017.

There head coach Lee Radford has a strong squad with former Salford half back Marc Sneyd pulling the strings. They currently sit fourth in the Super League table with 9 wins from 14 matches.

Super League away record.

Hull 19

Draws 0

Salford 1

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).

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 and Marc Sneyd.

A match to remember  Friday 7th April 2017

Hull FC 18 Salford Red Devil’s 54.

Well I didn’t have much choice when picking a match to remember but this certainly was one of those nights that Salford supporters cherish. A night that eases all the pain and misery of the heavy defeats and disappointing days.

Salford went in to this game brimming with confidence. Hull were by know means a poor side, they were at home with some word class players on there books and also the Challenge cup holders. Salford had beaten St Helens the previous week and before that had crushed Widnes on there own ground as well as toppling league leaders Castleford at the AJ Bell Stadium. 

It was a rip roaring first half the blew the home side away leaving Salford’s travelling away supporters flabbergasted. The ruthless Red Devil’s looked like scoring on every attack with there free flowing brand of attacking rugby. Ben Murdoch Masila was the man of the moment and totally unplayable that night. Salford lead 8-34 at half time. 

A couple of quick hull tries after the break didn’t really upset Salford’s rhythm as the posted another 20 points in an exquisite display. The tries coming from Greg Johnson 2, Craig Kopzack 2, Justin Carney, Michael Dobson, George Griffin, Robert Lui, Ben Murdoch Masila and Junior Sau.

Gareth O Brien four goals and Dobson kicked three.

The teams that night were ;

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).

Fridays match.

Salford certainly are doing things tough at the moment with five defeats on the bounce. Hull have faced problems of there own in recent weeks especially on the injury front which prompted former star centre Kirk Yeaman out of retirement to play again.

 After slipping in to the bottom four every match is now vital for Salford and this one is no different. Ian Watson will be hoping the two week break from first team action will have a positive effect on his side. As we’ve seen in the past Hull can be an unforgiving place to visit. Talisman Marc Sneyd has been missing in recent weeks but this season Jake Connor has certainly been a man to watch. Add to that the pace and attacking prowess of full back Jamie Shaul, graft and hard work of hooker Danny Houghton plus a very big mobile pack, Salford will need to be at there very best to get a result. 

The big question for a Red Devil’s coach Ian Watson is who will his half backs be. Everyone seems to have an opinion on this but we will have to wait and see.

Enjoy the game everyone and safe travels, Paul Whiteside.