I said last Sunday that spring had arrived! Well last night it had disappeared again. The conditions were wet and windy prior to kick off as the heavens opened and it was pretty chilly too.
Salford coach Paul Rowley had named an unchanged seventeen but things changed just before kick off with Ryan Brierley pulling out injured and Chris Atkin slotted in at fullback. Youngster Kai Morgan came in on the bench from eighteenth man.
The Robins brought a big following that packed the north stand and despite the miserable weather the atmosphere was electric at kick off.
Salford started on the front foot with the evergreen Mark Sneyd pulling the strings once again. Cade Cust seems to have taken the pressure off Sneyd and the pair are working well together.
Sneyd created the first try with another measured kick which Deon Cross profited from. Sneyd converted 6-0.
Rovers went on to dominate possession in the first half. Mikey Lewis and Jez Litten worked hard with the big pack they had ploughing towards a tough and resilient Red Devils defence.
Salford worked overtime to keep their visitors at bay and the scrambling defence at times was outstanding and worth the admission fee!
Amir Bourouh again shined bright at hooker with another hard working display and Chris Hankinson impressed both in attack and defence. Hankinson scored Salford’s second try with a lovely pick up and when Sneyd booted the conversion the Red Devils were in complete control at 12-0 at the break.
It’s fair to say Rovers have plenty of size in there pack but Salford matched them set for set. Brad Singleton and Jack Ormondroyd both put huge shifts in along with King Vuniyayawa.
Former Salford winger Joe Burgess coughed up a kick yards from his line and a penalty soon followed. Sneyd had no hesitation in kicking for goal and not long after a late tackle provided another penalty which Sneyd booted over, 16-0.
Kallum Watkins broke down the right edge as Salford looked to close the door but when Deon Cross pulled Burgess back as he attempted a quick restart he was sin binned for a professional foul.
Once again the Red Devils worked tirelessly in defence but the pressure finally told when Hiku scored, 16-4.
Mikey Lewis came close to scoring for Rovers but a possible penalty try was ruled out for offside and rightly so.
Hiku was sin binned for back chatting the referee in the sixty third minute but when Litten burst through to score the Robins were right back in the match.
Sneyd confined to boss the game for Salford though and he took the sting out of Rovers with a wonderful kicking game. With nine minutes remaking we were set for a grandstand finish. Sneyd worked his magic, got in the pocket and calmly dropped a goal.
Atkin came up with more miraculous defensive work to keep Rovers at bay and when the hooter sounded Salford’s heroic mission was complete.
Before the match the Grand final odds were 100-1 Salford and 10-1 Hull Kr. The Red Devils made a mockery of that with a terrific display to build on last weeks win.
Paul Rowley and his team go to St Helens next Friday for a fixture we’ve not won since January 1980. In the wonderful sport of rugby league though you just never know and with the spirit this Salford side are building they certainly won’t be going to Merseyside to make the numbers up!
Salford 17 Hull Kr 10.
Paul Whiteside.
Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.