MATCH REPORT | Salford Red Devils 16-23 Hull FC
Hull FC continue their strong away form, as former Red Devil Josh Griffin crossed for a hat-trick. Here’s how the game unfolded.
MATCH DETAILS
Hull led from start to finish to extend their strong away form, with four victories in a row.
The home side slipped below Hull in the table as Ian Watson’s side suffered a fourth straight defeat.
Lee Radford’s side started strong as Griffin crossed inside the opening five minutes. Half-back Marc Sneyd found Griffin running through the defensive line to give the Black and Whites the early advantage.
Sneyd kicked a penalty,; however Salford struck back soon after. Second rower Josh Jones touched down from a Robert Lui kick. Both sides threatened throughout the rest of the half.
Returning from his loan spell at Toronto, Jack Logan impressed but not long before half time, he was sent to the sin bin for holding down. Moments later, Sneyd’s second penalty goal of the half gave Hull a 10-6 lead at the interval.
Hull scored a second try not long after half time. Sneyd’s high kick was parried down by Bureta Faraimo and Griffin was on hand to drive over the line.
Griffin rounded off his hat-trick in the 51st minute and Hull looked on course for the win. They led 20-6 with thirty minutes remaining.
Salford crossed twice either side of a Hull penalty, first through Niall Evalds and then Jackson Hastings evaded Andre Savellio and touched down under the sticks. Ian Watson’s side trailed by six with only nine minutes remaining.
Sneyd produced a drop goal seven minutes from time which secured another two league points for Lee Radford’s side.
FOUR POINTERS
Debut for Wynne
Hull fullback Connor Wynne made his debut in the absence of Jamie Shaul, who sat out for a second week due to concussion. Wynne is the first player to play for Hull in Super League born in 2001. Wynne impressed and looked a strong understudy with a big future ahead.
Battle of the brothers
The Griffin brothers all played at Salford at one time or another, however George and Josh faced off today with the latter coming out on top. Josh starred with his three tries and showed how he is becoming more of an asset to Hull. George will be looking for his revenge when the sides meeting next in two months time.
A need to stop the run
The defeat left Salford in 7th, with four defeats in a row. Ian Watson’s side have impressed at times but they haven’t consistently performed well. Salford’s next league fixture will be a tough one as they face Warrington, however they have Rochdale Hornets on Friday in the Challenge Cup.
Kicking for victory
Hull have been criticised in a few matches after not kicking for goal including Wakefield at home, however today Hull converted three penalties which was the big difference. Sneyd converted penalties at the right time which extended their lead and allowed them to control the match.
THE RESULT
Salford Red Devils 16
Tries: Jones, Evalds, Hastings
Goals: Chamberlain 2
Drop Goals:
Hull FC 23
Tries: Griffin 3
Goals: Sneyd 5
Drop Goals: Sneyd
SQUADS
Salford: Evalds; Inu, Chamberlain, Bibby, Olpherts; Lui, Hastings; Walker, Lussick, Dudson, Jones, Griffin, Flanagan
Interchanges: Burke, Welham, Nakubwai, Turgut
Hull FC: Wynne; Logan, Griffin, Tuimavave, Faraimo; Kelly, Sneyd; Taylor, Houghton, Paea, Minichiello, Manu, Westerman
Interchanges: Lane, Savelio, Ellis, Washbrook
