Not even Alex did. In the smoking area they were brushing it off and that's why Jackson just said "oh that's just Hubert". Only Sam was annoyed hence why he threw his water and cried.

Anyone surprised? Would have thought Hughie would have gotten slaughtered especially after going up against Golden boy Alex

I think because they know Hughie has a very short fuse but is essentially totally harmless and always apologises afterwards. Hughie is good natured but I think his background just predisposes him to be ready for a fight.

Probably. Jackson, Alex, Charlie, Jayne and Ryan have all seen his rows. But still I expected Alex and Jackson to rip him to pieces in the smoking area but they 'kind of' defended it by saying it was just Hubert.

I think they gave him a pass because they felt his angry alter ego "Hubert" had taken possession of him momentarily.

Ryan and Hughie have encroached into Sam's territory and he's suddenly not guaranteed to be Lateysha's bessie mate all the time. This time Lateysha took Ryan and Hughie's side and this probably hurts Sam because he possibly fears that he might be losing his grip on his key ally to Ryan and Hughie of all people. He probably think's they're laughing at him.

Alex knows what Hughie is like which is why he tried to steer him away from the argument shown earlier, but people insist on seeing this as him goading Hughie.

What is it that makes everyone want to "goad" and "rile up" Hughie, i wonder. Natalie was accused of the same thing. What would they get out of doing this ?