Salford 10-32 Hull FC: Kelly brace boosts Hull FC

Match stats: Salford 10-34 Hull FC

Salford tries: Evalds (43), Hauraki (64)
Goals: Dobson (43) 

Hull FC tries: Talanoa (7), Kelly (17,27), Washbrook (35), Tuimavave (47), Shaul (59)
Goals: Connor (17,27,35,47,59) 

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Match report

Hull climbed to third in the Betfred Super League after stunning second-placed Salford with a 32-10 victory at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Stand-off Albert Kelly scored two tries in a virtuoso performance - including the highlight of the night when he kicked ahead twice before winning the race for the ball to complete a 60-metre move.

The in-form Australian has now scored 17 tries in his last 15 Super League appearances.

Lee Radford's side started the night in fifth but they scored four first-half tries to lead 22-0 at the interval against a team which had beaten them 54-18 at the KCOM Stadium in April.

Salford rallied briefly after the restart but Hull continued to score at regular intervals at keep the home side at arm's length for an ultimately comfortable win.

The visitors, who had lost three of their last four coming into this game, took the lead in the seventh minute when Jake Connor's kick to the corner was well taken by winger Fetuli Talanoa and he touched down in the corner.

Connor was unable to convert but he had a hand in Hull's second try in the 17th minute.

The scrum-half's short pass was taken by prop Liam Watts on the burst and he in turn fed Kelly who raced to the tryline from 20 metres. Connor's goal made it 10-0 to Hull.

Kelly, who has scored in the last four matches, produced a flash of improvised brilliance in the 27th minute to further increase Hull's lead.

He reacted quickest to a loose pass from Todd Carney and kicked ahead twice - once with the left foot and once with the right - and the ball sat up perfectly for him to regather and score. Connor again goaled and Hull led 16-0.

Ian Watson's side, on their way to suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, created a rare chance eight minutes before half-time but winger Niall Evalds saw his effort disallowed by referee Ben Thaler for a forward pass from Gareth O'Brien.

But Hull ended the half strongly and scored a fourth try five minutes before the break as hooker Danny Washbrook went over from dummy-half by the posts.

Connor kicked the conversion but was off target with a drop-goal attempt seconds before the half-time hooter sounded, although it mattered little as dominant Hull finished the period in complete control.

Salford had won six of their last seven home Super League games, and they started the second half with more purpose.

The ball was quickly worked to the right and Kris Welham fed Evalds to score in the corner within four minutes of the restart. Michael Dobson added the conversion from the touchline.

However, the try only served as a wake-up call for the visitors who replied within four minutes when centre Carlos Tuimavave ran a good angle to score from 10 metres, with Connor's conversion restoring Hull's 22-point lead at 28-6.

On the hour mark, Hull, having survived an intense spell of pressure on their own tryline, came up with another long-range try.

Welham threw a blind pass infield on the last tackle and Hull full-back Jamie Shaul scooped up the ball and raced 90 metres to score a try which Connor again converted to make it 34-6.

Salford scored their second try of the night with 16 minutes remaining when Weller Hauraki powered over from close range but O'Brien was unable to add the extras as Hull fan out convincing victors.

Match reaction

Lee Radford dedicated Hull FC's 34-10 win over Salford to former coach Arthur Bunting, who died earlier this week: "We had spoken about it during the week and anyone who knows a little bit about the history of the club realises Arthur's importance and impact on the club. That was for you coach.

"I thought it was our most dedicated performance in terms of what we ask for. Salford and Castleford probably challenge you more than any of the other teams in the competition coming out of their own half.

"We worked on their shapes during the week but we wanted to nullify the threat of their big fellas and that's exactly what we did.

"As much as you say you won't let it happen, you always expect a bit of response. We couldn't have got off to a worse start in the second half and that's something we've got to fix up."

Salford Red Devils coach Ian Watson was disappointed with his side's second defeat in six days, saying: "We started off lacking energy and were a bit soft physically.

"Hull just got on a roll and taught us a lesson on how to play really direct and quick.

"We were very flat and we didn't start with the attitude we normally do. We didn't play with any kind of enthusiasm and energy.

"I thought Hull were great and came here on the back of us beating them at their place. They came to beat us and the speed at which they played was very good and they were very clinical.

"It's definitely not a panic situation for us. The defeat today would have hurt the players but we need to remember that we are a good team and get back to doing what we can do."