Salford RLFC 29-18 Hunslet RLFC
Hunslet’s wait of over 59 years to beat Salford continues as the Red Devils gritty performance was too much for The Parksiders in the rain at the AJ Bell Stadium today (15 February 2026).
After liquidation last year and the formation of a phoenix club with new ownership this season, this is the Red Devils’ first victory, and a bitter taste of defeat for Hunslet.
With a new team and some loan players from Wigan the home side gave as good as they got early on, but eventually Hunslet started to look threatening. Coby Nichol was unlucky not to profit from an unfielded kick, and on 17 minutes after pressure Hunslet scored.
Loan player Zak Lloyd went close before Eddie Battye found his way to the line. With Billy Jowitt converting Hunslet led 0-6.
All was going well for The Parksiders until Salford intercepted a Lee Gaskell pass to bring play into the Hunslet half. Although Agoro made the tackle a penalty meant more pressure before an astute kick was well fielded by Jimmy Watson.
From the dropout Hunslet elected to go short and after more pressure Brad Dwyer went over from close in. Nathan Lowe converting 6-6 on 23 minutes.
Hunslet had gone close with Ethan O’Hanlon and then Cam Berry losing the ball close to scoring, but the interception had changed the flow of the game. Mo Agoro was penalised for a high tackle and then on 35 minutes Dwyer put a nice kick in for Noah Hodgkinson to score. 12-6 at the break.
The words may have been harsh at half time as Hunslet looked off the pace, but a good start to the second half reaped rewards on 43 minutes when, after a Myles Harrop break, Mo Agoro scored in the right hand corner. 12-10
In front of the home fans Hunslet defended well, before on 51 minutes Bailey Aldridge broke through to set up Lee Gaskell who dummied his way over. No conversion, but Hunslet led 12-14.
The best player on the park though was Brad Dwyer, who (after Abram and Watson had come close for Hunslet) put a kick behind the Hunslet line for Hodgkinson to get his second try. Mason Corbett’s out stretched hand just missing the ball. 18-14.
More Salford attacks came as the crowd lifted the atmosphere, but Hunslet defended well and when Dwyer was sin-binned for a high tackle the momentum again changed.
Salford’s defenders dropped off on 66 minutes as Gaskell dummied over for another try, but Jowitt’s conversion agonisingly bounced off the post. 18-18
Hunslet were now on top with the man advantage. Abram tried a one pointer from a tight angle, whilst though Aldridge and Gilmore went close The Parksiders, camped under the Salford posts didn’t try another easier attempt.
On 74 minutes the game changed on a bizzare incident. Ollie Garmston intercepted but lost control of the ball knocking it onto his foot. The Hunslet players stopped but the ref waved play-on and Garmston with a head start won the race to the line. 24-18
It was now an uphill task for Hunslet. Zak Lloyd was sin-binned and with a man light Toby Hughes sealed the win with a drop goal on 79 minutes, before Nathan Lowe put the icing on the cake with a try in the corner. 29-18
It’s a tough loss for Hunslet against a team who have only been put together over recent weeks. Penalties and re-starts hurt them and some decision making was bizarre.
Again, it is still early in the season with players still to come in, but Hunslet need a win and soon to bolster confidence. Eddie Battye and Bailey Aldridge were leading lights, whilst on debut Zak Lloyd looks a strong running forward.
Hunslet are away to Rochdale Hornets next week (22 February).
Salford RLFC: Hodgkinson, Van Osselaer, Connolly, Hartley, Lowe, Ross, Hughes, Kerr, Dwyer, Stanton, O’Loughlin, Garmston, Yates. Interchanges: Newboult, Bardyel-Wells, Mason, Appleby. 18th Player: Ayanlaja-lowo.
Hunslet RLFC: Jowitt, Nichol, Harrop, Watson, Agoro, Gaskell, Abram, Hallas, Aldridge, O’Hanlon, Gilmore, Whittel, Battye. Interchanges: Foster, Berry, Corbett, Lloyd. 18th Player: Elijah Simpson.
Photo: Bailey Aldridge and Harrison Gilmore halt a Salford attack. Credit: Nathan Robinson
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