After a week of big news and reunions away from sport Hull Kingston Rovers had a few former Salford favourites in their lineup. Niall Evalds started at fullback and Sam Luckley was on the bench. After scoring four tries last week though Joe Burgess sat this one out for the Robins. Chris Atkin and Ethan Ryan have both played for Hull Kingston Rovers and they were in the seventeen for the Red Devils.

It was a fizzing atmosphere at Craven Park as the two sides warmed up prior to kick off. A gentle breeze from the docks on a nice dry and mild evening. You could almost taste the expectations of the home supporters as the Robins looked to continue their tremendous run of form. 

Salford brought back Tim Lafai, Oliver Partington and Sam Stone in to the starting thirteen. Ryan Brierley and Loghan Lewis were missing through illness and injury.

Salford needed a positive start in the cauldron like atmosphere but what they got was the exact opposite. Ryan knocked with the visitors first touch of possession and moments later a penalty followed. Rovers went left and a fine move saw Jack Broadbent score in the corner. Mikey Lewis missed the conversion.

The Red Devils had been on the end of a fair few hidings in this fixture in recent seasons having failed to register a point on their last two visits. Ryan burst clear down the right edge and Joe Mellor backed up to score a super try to shock the home crowd. Marc Sneyd converted off the touch line to edge Salford in front 4-6.

Lewis was at the heart of everything the Robins did and his forty-twenty kick provided the attacking platform for their second try. Jai Whitbread went over and this time Lewis converted. 

Salford needed to dig in now to stay in the match as the home side came marauding forward. Lewis cut through a huge gap and raced over to extend the lead but again his goal kicking wasn’t on target. Broadbent walked in to score an easy try just before the break leaving Paul Rowley’s side with a huge task in the second half.

Rovers got a perfect start with an early try from Tom Opacic on the first attack after the break. The game was over as a contest and it now seemed like damage limitation from a Salford perspective. The home side ran hard, tackled hard, had energy, enthusiasm and the momentum they can build in a half of Rugby League makes them a genuine Title contender. The one worry for Rovers is the lack of a consistent goal kicker because if they are to make the Grand Final points could be very precious.

Jez Litten summed Salford’s night up poaching an easy try from close range. That sort of defence is not good enough at this level.

Nene Macdonald scored the games final try four minutes from time as Salford managed to keep the second half more respectable than the first.

You can’t afford to give a team like Hull Kingston Rovers attacking opportunities. Salford lacked steel in defence, their completion rate was way off the standard expected with the Robins to good in every department.

Salford now face a crucial match against Catalans next Saturday in what could be a real shootout for the top six Playoffs. Rovers travel to Wigan in what will be the ultimate test. Victory there could see Hull Kingston Rovers finish top of the elite competition for the first time since the 1984/85 season. 

Rovers Roll With It, Salford look to Keep The Dream Alive!

Hull Kingston Rovers 32 Salford 12.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.