Hull FC were big winners at Salford.
Hull FC celebrate Yusuf Aydin’s try.
Hull FC are safely through to Monday’s Challenge Cup fourth-round draw after defeating Salford RLFC 60-0 on Friday night. The Black and Whites managed eleven tries in total, with Davy Litten, playing at full-back, scoring the first senior hat-trick of his career in a contest and result that was never in doubt.
However, that’s not to play down the efforts of Salford, who made Hull work for it at times in what was a spirited performance from the home side. As anticipated, they played with plenty of enthusiasm and energy, and as screamed from the terraces, of which their fans continue to stick by them through thick and thin, this club will never die, but given time, and with their current trajectory, they will thrive again. It’s in the Championship they remain, for now, though, with Hull showing that extra bit of Super League class to get them over the line.
The Black and Whites did enough and at times flexed their muscles in what was a cup tie littered with penalties. Indiscretions at the play of the ball were penalised throughout, and while time and patience are what we’ve all been told is needed this year, when the whistle kept blowing, it wasn’t a good watch, and it will be interesting to see how such incidents are judged and scrutinised through the year.
But not to take the shine off Hull, this was a satisfactory night, with Jake Arthur and Arthur Romano impressing on debut. The two recruits were two of six signings debuted by head coach John Cartwright, who also started Harvie Hill and Joe Batchelor. Connor Bailey and Sam Lisone came on from the interchange.
For Salford, there was Hull-born representation in former academy player Owen Haldenby and Sam Bowring, a local player who has featured in rugby league’s lower leagues over the last 12 or so years.
But again, it was Arthur who arguably had the best moments. He got heavily involved, took on a kicking responsibility alongside Aidan Sezer and also fired some sharp and slick passes out to his edges. He scored a debut try for good measure and will be one to watch as he grows into Hull and Super League this year. Yusuf Aydin was also really strong and played a mountain of minutes, while Cade Cust impressed at both hooker and half-back.
Played in heavy rain throughout, the game was stopped after just 15 seconds with Jed Cartwright receiving treatment after coming off second best in the very first carry of the game. The back rower left the field for an HIA and didn’t return.
In an eventful first set, Aydin got the first try after a minute, charging down a Salford kick and finishing acrobatically to ground the ball. On a scrum play, Litten then ensured Hull were over again soon after, getting on the end of a move outside from a scrum play.
Salford again fronted up and weathered the storm. They showed spirit, with some good kicks from Toby Hughes getting them into threatening positions, but it was Hull who landed the decisive blows again.
The next one came from Amir Bourouh, who scampered over from dummy half from close range. And by the time Arthur’s fiery long pass met Harvey Barron to score, Hull were 22-0 to the good.
They took that lead into the break and soon added to it in the second half, with Romano running a strong line to glide over. Litten then darted out of dummy half to score after another towering Arthur kick got Hull into good field position, with Cust then getting in on the act, taking Bourouh’s pass after a good dart from the play the ball.
As the hour mark ticked off, Batchelor took a soft Cust pass to score, with the Aussie half then on the end of a neat move involving Litten and Arthur to dive over for his second try. Arthur then scored on his debut, topping off an encouraging performance, before Litten rounded things off with his hat-trick score. Job done, and into Monday’s fourth-round draw.
Teams
Salford Starting XIII: 27. Matty Ross; 18. Rafael Van Osselaer, 29. Deacon Connolly, 30. Josh Cartwright, 20. Joe Hartley; 7. Toby Hughes, 21. Jack Gatcliffe; 36. Sam Bowring, 9. Brad Dwyer, 10. Owen Haldenby; 26. Reece Stanton, 12. Ollie Garmston; 14. Fin Yates
Interchange: 33. Ethan Newboult, 16. Lebunbou Bardyel Wells, 15. Will Tilleke, 31. Leo Wadsworth
18th Man: 24. Cole Appleby
Hull Starting XIII: 3. Davy Litten; 2. Harvey Barron, 4. Zak Hardaker, 21. Arthur Romano, 19. Tom Briscoe; 6. Jake Arthur, 7. Aidan Sezer; 18. Ligi Sao, 9. Amir Bourouh, 10. Harvie Hill; 11. Joe Batchelor, 12. Jed Cartwright; 20. Yusuf Aydin
Interchange: 22. Connor Bailey, 23. Brad Fash, 14. Cade Cust, 16. Sam Lisone.
18th Man: 32. Lloyd Kemp
Scorers
Salford Tries: N/A. Goals: N/A.
Hull Tries: Aydin, Litten 3, Bourouh, Barron, Romano, Cust 2, Batchelor, Arthur. Goals: Hardaker 8/10, Barron 0/1
Referee: Matty Lynn
Attendance: 1,976