Hull Kingston Rovers v Salford.

To be top of the table with four games left is a fantastic achievement and Hull Kingston Rovers thoroughly deserve to be where they are this season. The Robins have the best defence in Super League and the best attack. Salford have been nilled on their last two visits to East Hull. 40-0 in the Challenge Cup earlier this season and 12-0 in the league last season. The Red Devils last victory away to the Robins was a very tight 22-24 win in 2019.

I saw the highlights of St.Helens v Hull Kingston Rovers from last weekend and Willie Peters side played some amazing attacking rugby. Joe Burgess scored four excellent tries and we know from his time at Salford what a wonderful finisher he is. One player who’s been a bit of a master stroke signing is Niall Evalds. Rovers played him on the wing at first and whilst he played well and scored some tries his move to fullback has seen him look absolutely lethal. Evalds was a super player for Salford and it was a sad day when he left to join Castleford. He will definitely be an attacking threat on Friday night but don’t forget he’s also a brilliant defender and kick returner.

It’s not just St.Helens that the Robins have humbled this season though. At the Magic Weekend they produced the performance of the round with a thumping of Catalans. It’s now touch and go for St.Helens and Catalans with their top six hopes. Neither team can afford any slips in the remaining matches.

The Robins have won four matches in August and conceded just one score in each match keeping their opponents to single figures. That sort of defence wins Championship’s and this season they have a great chance of making the Grand Final.

Both Salford and Rovers supporters have waited patiently for their side to bring success. It’s now forty eight years since Salford last won the Championship. The Robins were top dogs in the late 70s and early 80s and their wait is a little less than ours but still it’s a generation or so ago now. They won three Championships in 1979,1984 and 1985 along with a glorious Challenge Cup final win over Hull in 1980.

The 70s and 80s seem a long time ago now. The world has changed so much and so has Rugby League. I wouldn’t begrudge Hull Kingston Rovers winning a trophy but one things for sure I’ll be right behind Salford on Friday night.

The Red Devils bounced back from that huge disappointment at Elland Road with a blistering performance to smash Huddersfield Giants 60-10. Ten tries gave the supporters a thrilling Saturday evening of entertainment. That win sent Salford up to fourth in the table. We’ve just spoken about the Robins chances of silverware this season, well Salford have still got their sights on Old Trafford and another Grand Final. This season the league looks wide open and whoever makes the top six has a really chance of lifting the Trophy in October. Wigan have been favourites for much of the season but they’ve shown weakness that can be exploited in recent weeks. Bevan French has been sidelined but is that all tactical? We will have to wait and see.

Salford’s four remaining League matches are Hull Kingston Rovers (a), Catalans (h), Hull (a) and Wigan (a).

Super League away record 

Hull Kingston Rovers 12

Draws 0

Salford 6

2007 Hull KR 24 Salford 28

2009 Hull KR 48 Salford 12

2010 Hull KR 30 Salford 12

2011 Hull KR 21 Salford 8

2012 Hull KR 22 Salford 24

2013 Hull KR 28 Salford 18

2014 Hull KR 18 Salford 38

2015 Hull KR 34 Salford 28

2015 Hull KR 46 Salford 22 (Middle Eights)

2016 Hull KR 44 Salford 30

2016 Hull KR 18 Salford 19 (million pound game)

2018 Hull KR 52 Salford 22

2018 Hull KR 10 Salford 28 (Middle Eights)

2019 Hull KR 22 Salford 24

2020 Hull KR 24 Salford 22 (played behind closed doors at Headingley)

2021 Hull KR 40 Salford 4

2022 Hull KR 43 Salford 16

2023 Hull KR 12 Salford 0

They played for both.

Here are a selection of players to have represented The Robins and The Red Devils,

Greg Austin, Colin Dixon, Greg Burke, Chris Charles, Michael Dobson, Sean Gleeson, Darrell Goulding, David Hodgson, Lee Jewitt, Justin Carney, Jordan Walne, Phil Joseph, Tommy Lee, Tyrone McCarthy, Craig Murdock, Cory Paterson, Gareth Price, Scott Taylor, Tony Puletua, Richard Smith, Iain Thornley, Kris Welham, Chris Atkin, Ken Sio, Adam Walker, Ryan Lannon, Sam Luckley Joe Burgess and Niall Evalds.

A MATCH TO REMEMBER Tuesday 30th June 2015.

Hull Kingston Rovers 34 Salford 28.

Looking at the final score you might be wondering why I picked this match. Well it was a very exciting match to watch but what happened after this match would go on to be quite significant.

Salford under coach Iysten Harris had been up and down in terms of form. Having said that Easter had been good with wins over Huddersfield and Wigan leaving the supporters optimistic.

A poor run of form, injuries and suspensions to key players scuppered progress. Going into this match at Craven Park Salford had won just one of their previous ten games including defeat in the Challenge Cup at Leigh.

The first half was nip and tuck with neither side giving two much away. Both sides bagged two tries each. Mason Caton-Brown and Ben Jones-Bishop crossed for the Red Devils and it was a slender 8-10 lead they held at the half time break.

If Salford shaded the first half, they went walkabout in the third quarter as Rovers turned the game on its head with three tries in a devastating eight-minute spell.

Now trailing by 26-10 Salford were on the back foot and needed a quick response.

Red Devils French stand-off Theo Fages created two tries in five minutes for forwards Jordan Walne and ex-Hull KR man Scott Taylor.

Josh Griffin converted both to cut the deficit to just four points to set up a grandstand finish.

A Josh Mantellato penalty goal nudged Rovers further ahead with just ten minutes remaining before a super Salford try. Half backs Rangi Chase and Fages combined brilliantly to send Jones-Bishop over and a very calm Josh Griffin levelled the scores at 28-28.

Before either side could think about a drop goal, Kelly pounced with the winning try, taking advantage of a wicked bounce from the restart to regather and touch down. It was a bit like those Question of Sport what happened next moments. A cruel way to lose for Salford and in the aftermath coach Iestyn Harris parted company with the club. The club appointed a new interim head coach. That man was Ian Watson.

The teams that night were;

Hull kr: Dixon, Cockayne, Salter, Welham, Mantellato, Blair, Kelly, Walker, Lunt, Tilse, Ollett,Horne, Donaldson.

Subs, Marsh, Green, Greenwood, Burke.

Salford: Chase, Jones-Bishop, Sa’u, J Griffin, Caton-Brown, Fages, Dobson, Morley, Tomkins, Taylor, Paterson, J Walne, Hansen.

Subs, Hood, G Griffin, Tasi, A Walne.

Referee, Robert Hicks.

Attendance, 6,717.

Friday’s match.

Only Warrington and Catalans have come away from Craven Park with victories so far in 2024. Like Salford the Robins have built their foundations on very solid home form. 

The key to success in this match could hinge on Salford’s half back pairing of Jayden Nikorima and Marc Sneyd. Of course you need your pack to play well, running hard and tackling everything that moves but if your six and seven can link up like they did against the Giants then the Red Devils can create and score points. 

Confidence in sport is a massive factor. Rovers are full of it and that momentum is driving them forward. Players believe they are going to win the match before they step onto the field. They are riding the crest of a wave at the moment and with a partisan crowd behind them they are going to take some stopping. 

Matt Parcell and Jez Litten both play the hooking role very well and this allows the team Tim get on the front foot. Dean Hadley is playing the best rugby of his career along with Elliot Minchella who is a real leader through the middle. Tyrone May and Mikey Lewis have been settled half backs for most of the season. Lewis can produce magical plays and has a very good short kicking game. May has played in Grand Finals in Australia and England. A winner with Penrith in 2021 and a beaten finalist with Catalans last season. 

Salford will have Tim Lafai available after his suspension but Chris Hankinson was very impressive last Saturday in the centre position so Paul Rowley will have a difficult decision to make there. Harvey Wilson was excellent in the win against Huddersfield and he will be looking to play again this week along with Chris Atkin who made his 100th Salford appearance. Oliver Partington will be a huge boost after serving his suspension. Partington is a ferocious defender and his presence on the pitch adds a bit more bite to the pack. Ethan Ryan returns to his former club and his form has improved so much as the season has progressed. Every week his stats are impressive.

The Robins are firm favourites in this contest with the bookmakers. Salford have a 16 point start on the coupon which is the biggest we’ve had all season.

The action gets under way at 8pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside. 

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.