Hull KR 12 Salford 0 Match Report
Saturday nights all right for fighting, in the words of the song by Elton John. Both Hull Kingston Rovers and Salford were fighting for a place off spot. The Robins were in the box set, two points in front of Salford in fifth place but after Warrington lost at home to St.Helens on Friday night the Red Devils had destiny in their own hands. Victory would take Salford above Warrington and level on points with the Robins going in to the final round of matches next Friday.
A 7:30pm kick off on a Saturday night is a pretty rare event in Rugby League. It seemed to add to the excitement and anticipation of both sets of supporters. Outside the ground the atmosphere was electric. These two sides have a bit of history between them in recent years and it’s fair to say Hull Kr have definitely had the upper hand in recent meeting between the two sides. The Robins have won eight of the last ten meetings with Salford and the last three on this ground have been very clinical.
After last Sunday’s thrilling victory over Warrington, Salford coach Paul Rowley had to make some subtle changes to his side. Brad Singleton missed out due to a one match suspension. Ben Hellewell moved to prop to replace Singleton. Kallum Watkins and Oliver Partington returned to the starting thirteen.
Hull Kingston Rovers has a strong seventeen with the return of Jordan Abdull in recent weeks. He started on the bench as coach Willie Peters kept face with Mikey Lewis and Brad Schneider in the halves. Former Salford favourite Sam Luckley made the Robins bench.
As the two sides marched out the weather was fine and dry. The Robins ground is not to far from the Docks so the usual breeze made the conditions perfect for very important night of Rugby League.
The Robins were in their traditional colours of red and white with Salford in their centenary kit.
The ground fizzed with noise as the match kicked off. Salford tried a short kick off but the home side were switched on and ready.
Kane Linnett breaks and the try seemed certain but Rovers over play and bomb a fantastic opportunity.
Good Salford pressure and solid tackling forces the error and when Mark Sneyd’s attacking kick struck the post the ball bounce loose causing real panic for Rovers. The video referee checked it and Salford got another scrum ten yards out. The Red Devils chanced their arm but the home sides defence was up to the task.
Salford continued to press and forced further drop outs but the Robins defence was very organised and frustrated the visitors who had dominated the opening twenty minutes with nothing to show for it.
Rovers hit Salford with a good old fashioned sucker punch as they broke down the right edge. James Batchelor backed up well to score the opening try of the night. Schneider added the conversion, 6-0.
Mikey Lewis made a thrilling break down the left wing showing a fantastic turn of pace. Ryan Brierley got back to save the day with a top notch cover tackle. Salford then went down the opposite end. Great work from Danny Addy created the gap for Partington who went under the posts but the referee denied it for a forward pass.
King Vuniyayawa was sent to the sin bin just before the break. An action packed first half finished 6-0 to Hull Kingston Rovers.
Both sides were making mistakes in the early stages of the second half and most of them were unforced errors.
Matt Parcell found a gap inches from the line but can’t quite ground the ball to give Salford a huge let off.
With seventeen minutes remaining the Robins received a penalty thirty yards out and their was no hesitation. Schneider went for goal and extended the slender lead to 8-0.
The home side were looking the stronger team and went to finish the match. Tim Lafai spilled a high kick and Rovers went for the corner. Lewis just couldn’t get the ball down after consulting with the video referee.
Salford looked vulnerable and Rovers could sense it. They went left and attacked with pace. A lovely subtle tip on pass to Ryan Hall saw the veteran winger race over for a superb try. Schneider fell short with the conversion leaving Salford 12-0 down with five minutes remaining.
It was too much for Salford to save and they can have no complaints. Hull Kingston Rovers were the better throughout the match. The playoffs are now going to be difficult. The Red Devils need to better Warrington’s result next Friday to make the top six.
Hull Kingston Rovers 12 Salford 0
Paul Whiteside.
Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.
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