Brown downs the Black and Whites
KEVIN Brown produced perhaps his best performance in a Salford shirt to steer the Red Devils to victory over Hull FC.
The veteran playmaker, a week away from his 36th birthday and making his 350th Betfred Super League appearance, was involved in almost everything as Ian Watson’s side again overcame the Black and Whites.
When the two sides met immediately after the restart in early August, Salford dismantled their opposition, racking up more than 50 points. This time round, it was a much closer contest, but the Red Devils demonstrated the spirit, resilience and talent at their disposal to ensure they departed the Halliwell Jones Stadium with the victory.
“Kev has been getting better and better every week when he’s playing,” said head coach Watson. “He’s that pivotal player in making us play better and I think he’s been finding his feet.
“The last two weeks, he’s really got to grips with the team. He’s commanding the team now and he’s demanding the excellence that he wants to be able to win things.
“I’d pay credit to our middles as well. In the first half, we had a lot of pressure early doors and we defended really well.
“[Hull] dominated the arm wrestle, but we just stuck in there and found a way to come through the other side.
“And then Kev put his bit of magic on it and turned it into some points.”
Hull took an early lead through fullback Jamie Shaul, but Dan Sarginson sent Krisnan
n Inu over to level the sc scores soon after. The fu fullback was sent to the si sin-bin for a high shot on Shaul, Sh during which time Andy A Last’s side capitalised is on the man advantage ta to regain the lead through th Andre Savelio.
However, the 12 men of Sa Salford again hit back when Joey Lussick burrowed over from dummy half and when back to a full complement, an excellent pass from Brown found Inu out wide and the winger powered over for his second try, giving the Red Devils an 18-12 lead at the break.
It was Brown’s halfback partner Lolohea who produced a piece of magic for the first try after half-time, chipping over the defensive line on just the second play, Rhys Wiliams scooping up the ball to score in the corner.
Shaul got his second try soon after, after but Salford put the game to bed just before the hour mark when Brown sidestepped the defensive line and could have perhaps scored himself, but offloaded to Andy Ackers, allowing the hooker to score his first try since arriving at the club.
Jordan Lane’s late try narrowed the scoreline, but the Red Devils were well worth the win and will be looking to back this result up against Warrington on Tuesday.
Immediately after full-time, loose forward Mark Flanagan announced he is to retire at the end of the season.