Hull Kingston Rovers v Salford.

East Hull has seen a real renaissance in the last few years. The Robins have become one of the darlings of the League especially with the media and broadcasters. 

After a fantastic season in 2024 it ended in disappointment losing a very tough and tight Grand Final to Wigan. Coach Willie Peters has added some very experienced players to his squad for this season and with two wins in the bag already it’s been a solid start. 

Salford’s last victory in this fixture came in 2019 in a thrilling match 22-24. Since then Rovers have won five league meetings and knocked Salford out of the Challenge in the last two seasons at Craven Park.

After a very successful spell with the Robins star winger Ryan Hall has rejoined Leeds Rhinos. Michael McIlorum, Rhyse Martin and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves have all joined for 2025 and despite their advancing years the trio have over eight hundred career appearances between them. 

Prolific winger Joe Burgess has scored a sack full of tries for Rovers since joining from Salford. He bagged a hat trick in the round one victory over Castleford. Another former Wigan winger has made the move to East Hull. Tom Davies has spent the last four years in the South of France with the Catalans Dragons where he averaged over a try again. This outlines the attacking prowess on the edges that this Hull Kingston Rovers team have at their disposal.

Salford got off to a flying start last Sunday against Leeds but after taking an early lead the Rhinos fought back to win very comfortably. The Red Devils were beaten in every department by a well drilled side that coach Brad Arthur has got playing to a very disciplined standard, particularly in defence. It was a frustrating afternoon and this certainly showed in the players body language. 

Craven Park is a very difficult place for an away side to come to and Salford have got to be switched on this Thursday to have any chance of victory.

Super Away home record 

Hull Kingston Rovers 13

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

2024 Hull KR 32 Salford 12

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 Sunday 22nd April 2007.

Hull Kr 24 Salford 28

After Karl Harrison’s sides heroics of 2006 there was a bit of expectation ahead of the 2007 season. Experience and quality was added to the squad with Luke Dorn, Mark Edmonson and Michael Korkidas coming in to name a few.

For one reason or another things didn’t seem to click. A poor start to the season with just two victories out of the opening ten games left Salford struggling for form going to Craven Park on the 22nd of April.

Hull Kr were in there debut season in The Super League after being promoted at the end of the 2006 season. There coach Justin Morgan had built a really durable side that were tough to beat.

Salford came in to the match bottom of the table and desperate for a win.

Salford made a good start with tries from John Wilshere, Luke Dorn and Aaron Moule within the first seven minutes.

But Hull KR hit back through Jim Gannon, Mark O’Neill and debutant Mark Lennon before Luke Robinson eased Salford’s fears with another try.

Although Jon Goddard cut Salford’s lead, David Hodgson responded before Andreas Bauer’s late consolation try.

Sadly this match would turn out to be Harrison’s final victory as Salford coach.

Three heavy defeats followed against Wigan, Warrington and a 66-6 disaster in the south of France against Catalan. Harrison was sacked a few days later with James Lowes taking temporary charge.

The teams that day;

Hull Kingston Rovers Cockayne; Bauer, Goddard, Morton, Hardman; Chester, Webster; Ward, Fisher, Vella, Hill, Netherton, O’Neill. Interchange Gene, Gannon, Aizue, Lennon.

Salford City Reds Hodgson; Viane, McGuinness, Moule, Wilshere; Dorn, Robinson; Coley, Berthezene, Korkidas, Littler, Sibbit, Finnigan. Interchange Turner, Adamson, Haggerty, Edmondson.

Referee G Hewer.

Attendance, 6,299.

Thursday’s match.

Salford will be without Joe Shorrocks after he picked up a two match suspension after Sunday’s incident that saw him sin binned for a challenge with Brodie Croft. Shorrocks is a very hard worker in the pack and this will be a blow for coach Paul Rowley to deal with. Salford appealed the suspension and its now been upgraded to three matches!

The Robins will be with star halfback Mikey Lewis after he sustained an ankle injury in last Thursdays’s victory over Wakefield Trinity. Scans this week will reveal the extent of the injury and how long he will likely be out for.

Both sides made significant recruitment in the off season and looking at the two performances of the Robins so far their pack is another big one. Salford struggled to cope with the power that the Leeds forwards threw at them. Ring rust and lack of match fitness will have played a part in that but it’s something that needs addressing quickly. A vast improvement is needed to have any chance of winning on Thursday night. 

One player who really impressed me on Saturday was Nene Macdonald. He’s such a powerful runner and every time he got the ball out wide he looked dangerous. That said I am not sure if he’s better suited to centre rather than the wing. Chris Hill played big minutes against Leeds and did his job well. At thirty seven he still looks as fit and hungry to succeed as ever.

The Robins have a well balanced squad. Jack Broadbent, Niall Evalds are two exciting players. In the pack Dean Hadley and James Batchelor are both very hard worker. Captain Elliot Minchella is one of the most improved players in the League over the last few years. Sauaso Sue is a real handful going forward and Jez Litten can fill in at a number of positions and is also a back up goal kicker.

Salford will once again be without hooker Joe Mellor who should be returning in the next few weeks. Sam Stone and Loghan Lewis are still missing in the pack too.

The bookmakers have made the Robins clear favourites with Salford having a fourteen point start on the coupon.

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.