Salford Red Devils booked their spot in the playoffs with a classy team performance at the MKM Stadium.
Head Coach, Paul Rowley was able to recall Loghan Lewis to his 17-man squad after a groin issue, but lost back-rower, Sam Stone to a back problem during the week.
Results on Friday night meant bringing two points home from West Hull would secure a top six finish with one regular season game remaining.
You could see how much that meant to the team right from the first whistle. Some brilliant defensive work restricted the FC metres and handed Salford key field position.
Following a drop-out, Salford worked it through the hands and Shane Wright sent the bulldozing Tim Lafai over for his first of the afternoon.
It wasn’t long until we doubled our try tally and it was the left edge that did the trick once more. Marc Sneyd’s bomb caused Logan Moy to spill and from the resulting scrum, our two halfbacks combined to allow Deon Cross the opportunity to touch down in the corner.
Salford’s pressure was relentless and a young FC side were struggling to deal with the presence of our two centres, Lafai and Nene Macdonald, in particular.
They set the platform for Joe Mellor to – as he often does – catch the defensive line napping. His dart from dummy-half extended the lead and Sneyd added two from the boot.
The forwards also produced some solid work across the contest and it was just-reward for one of them, Brad Singleton to get in on the act with a strong carry, and a neat finish,
FC tried to rally and give their home support something to cheer about, but just as they were slightly overturning the arm wrestle, Lafai came up with a superb intercept and raced 60 metres to add another four points.
It allowed Sneyd to chip over his 1000th career goal – another phenomenal achievement for a man at the peak of his powers.
Moy dotted down early into the second period for FC, but an on-field call of no try was confirmed by the referee with Lewis Martin nudging it forward after the original kick.
Down the other end, Macdonald brought up try number 12 for the season with a trademark bust through the defensive line, who just couldn’t stop the PNG star dotting down another four points.
Minutes later we were over again, but this time with a stroke of fortune. Joe Shorrocks miss-timed his pass, but the ball bounced favourably for Wright to pick up and score.
The momentum was starting to roll again for the Red Devils and the skipper, Kallum Watkins busted a few challenges himself to acrobatically dive over in the right corner.
He, alongside Ryan Brierley were afforded a rest with the two points secured, but that was not the end of Salford’s scoring for the evening.
In fact, Macdonald’s burst and offload, Cross’ flick back inside, and Lafai’s finish was probably the pick of ten superb Salford tries – bringing up the Samoan’s hat-trick in the process.
Zach Jebson crossed for the hosts after a bobbling ball caused a bit of confusion amongst both sets of players, popping out for the back-rower to stroll over.
It was only a momentary reprieve, however, as Mellor scored his second of the night from an excellent series of efforts from Singleton in the build-up.
The full-time hooter signalled confirmation of a playoff spot and wild celebrations in a bouncing away end at the MKM.
MATCH FACTS:
Salford line-up: Ryan Brierley, Ethan Ryan, Nene Macdonald, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross, Jayden Nikorima, Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Joe Mellor, Gil Dudson, Shane Wright, Kallum Watkins, Oliver Partington.
Interchanges: Joe Shorrocks, Chris Hankinson, Loghan Lewis, Joe Bullock.
Tries: Tim Lafai (3), Deon Cross, Joe Mellor (2), Brad Singleton, Shane Wright, Nene Macdonald, Kallum Watkins.
Conversions: Marc Sneyd (9/10)
Hull FC line-up: Logan Moy, Harvey Brown, Davy Litten, Ed Chamberlain, Lewis Martin, Jack Charles, Jack Walker, Herman Ese’ese, Morgan Smith, Will Gardiner, Jordan Lane, Brad Fash, Yusuf Aydin.
Interchanges: Jack Ashworth, Zach Jebson, Denive Balmforth, Tiaki Chan.
Tries: Zach Jebson.
Conversions: Logan Moy (0/1)
HT: 0-28
Photo credit: Steve McCormick & James Giblin
