Salford 26 Hull KR 16 Match Report
It was certainly a pleasant Saturday morning journey up to Newcastle. Blue skies and plenty of sunshine with a slight breeze. The atmosphere outside St James Park Stadium was filled with excitement and plenty of colour. Club shirts were everywhere representing the magnificent sport that is Rugby League.
Salford and Hull Kingston Rovers would be kicking the weekend off with a 1:30pm start.
With hooker Andy Ackers missing Chris Atkin slotted in at nine. Atkin is such an honest professional and is comfortable in most positions on the pitch.
Salford’s only other change from last weekend was Amir Bourouh who replaced Atkin on the bench.
Just points difference separated these two sides on the League table and with a beautiful wide playing surface points were expected in this match.
The Robins had Lachlan Coote at fullback and veteran try scoring machine Ryan Hall on the wing. Mikey Lewis and Jez Litten were the halves and former Salford favourite Sam Luckley was on the bench.
Both sets of supporters were at opposite ends of the ground behind the posts making plenty of noise leading up to kick off.
Salford were in there changed kit of yellow and black. Rovers kit was a very traditional red and white one.
Salford made a real bright start. Kallum Watkins with a half break and Chris Atkin was rightly denied by the video referee but came mighty close to scoring.
Ken Sio came close on the right edge but some last ditch tackling somehow kept Salford out. All the early pressure came from the Red Devils but no points.
Rovers broke right through the middle of Salford to open the scoring. Good backing up and Elliot Minchella got the try with Coote converted. 0-6.
Salford hit back with a super try form Joe Burgess. Brodie Croft spotted a gap and shot through it.
Burgess was on his shoulder to finish it off. Sneyd converted to level the score after twenty minutes of play.
Sam Stone left the field for a head assessment and then there was a long injury stoppage for Rovers Joe Batchelor who was stretchered off.
Sneyd edged Salford in front with a penalty goal. Good news for the Red Devils was Stone passed his HIA assessment and returned to the pitch.
Salford had the majority of attacking possession in the first half but fell for a sucker punch just before the break when Rovers prop George King brushed off some weak tackling to stride over. Coote converted, 8-12.
Croft was caught high by a careless tackle right on the hooter and as expected Sneyd booted the conversion 10-12.
Rovers allowed a kick to bounce at the start of the second half. Croft regathered and kicked through. Salford couldn’t take the chance. Soon after Tim Lafai was denied a try by the video referee but this game was really in the balance, waiting for that bit of magic from either team.
Unforced errors started mounting up for the Robins and a cheap penalty allowed Sneyd to kick to level the score. Salford’s number seven nailed it and with twenty minutes remaining it was 12-12.
Moments later Sneyd was flattened late after his kick by Dean Hadley. Referee Chris Kendall showed Hadley the yellow card and Sneyd booted Salford into the lead 14-12 with the penalty.
Deon Cross was then sin binned for a high tackle on Coote. On the next play Ryan Hall was over in the corner with a superb flying finish. The conversion hit the post leaving Rovers back in front by two, 14-16.
Out of nothing Salford got the break they desperately needed. Ryan Brierley skinned through on the edge Ken Sio was in support to race over. Sneyd kicked his sixth of the afternoon and once again the lead changed hands.
Atkin returned from the bench and Salford moved through the gears. Another thrilling break down the right edge tore the Robins to pieces. This time Atkin got the try and Salford led by ten points.
The Red Devils had the steel and determination to see the game out for a thoroughly deserved victory.
Paul Rowley brought his fullback Ryan Brierley to the press conference and he was delighted with the effort and composure his side showed. Brierley in particular was singled out for praise from his coach as he continues in the best form of his career.
Salford are back in action next Friday when they travel to Wheldon Road to face Castleford.
Salford 26 Hull Kingston Rovers 16.
Paul Whiteside.
Pictures by Steve McCormick
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