Hull KR scored nine tries as they romped to a 52-22 win over Salford Red Devils at KCOM Craven Park on Sunday afternoon. Here’s the report of the Robins’ second straight Super League win:
MATCH DETAILS
A whirlwind of first half points saw the Robins cruise to an emphatic victory over Salford at KCOM Craven Park.
It was Salford who made the brighter start to the contest and could have taken the lead when Tyrone McCarthy went agonisingly close to scoring, but the second-rower dropped the ball inside the in-goal area.
The Red Devils’ efforts were rewarded soon after, though, as winger Johnson collected a short ball from Robert Lui before bulldozing his way over the whitewash with just eight minutes on the clock.
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That was as good as it got for the Red Devils and once Ryan Shaw went over for the home side there was no stopping the Rovers, who scored five tries in just 15 first half minutes through Adam Quinlan, Will Oakes, James Greenwood, Danny McGuire and Joel Tomkins and went in to the interval with a healthy 36-6 lead.
Salford also opened the scoring in the second forty minutes when Robert Lui picked out Derrell Olpherts with a lofted kick before the latter offloaded to Junior Sa’u who surged his way over. Chamberlain was unable to land the resulting goal attempt.
However, the try wasn’t enough to spark a comeback from Ian Watson’s men, who’s defeat means they fall below the Robins on the table.
McGuire scored his second of the game to re-establish the 30-point lead, before Will Oakes completed his double with a brilliant diving finish. Then, just three minutes later, McGuire fooled the defence with a dummy and slid over under the posts for his hat-trick try after 57 minutes.
Junior Sa’u and Jake Bibby scored consolation tries in the final quarter, but KR were comfortable and eased to a to a win that means they could still end the regular season in the top 8 of Super League.
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED
Injuries can take a toll
It was unfortunate that Salford’s injuries meant that they travelled to Craven Park with a weakened team.
However, they were competitive in the opening and final 20 minutes, when three of their four tries were scored, but on the balance of the game Hull KR were deserving winners- as the scoreline suggests.
Rovers still have room for improvement
Even though the team effort was brilliant, the Red Robins still couldn’t see it through 80 minutes. This was similar to their win over Huddersfield Giants last week, when their mistakes were punished with tries.
Head coach Tim Sheens spoke to the media after the match explaining this is something they must fix if for when they go up against better sides, but after two high-scoring wins it isn’t too much of a concern right now.
Man Of The Match – Danny McGuire (Hull Kingston Rovers)
There was no shortage of contenders for man of the match in a terrific team performance, however, it’s McGuire who takes it after an eye-catching display that saw him score his first hat-trick since making the move to East Yorkshire from Leeds.
His composure, game-management and execution of some lovely set plays all stood out as the 35-year-old stand-off reminded us all of his quality. On form like he showed today, McGuire could play a big part in either dragging his side into a Super 8’s place or helping them secure their Super League status for 2019 and avoid a second relegation in three years.
THE RESULT
Hull Kingston Rovers – 52
Tries: McGuire (36, 51, 58), Oakes (27, 56), Shaw (17), Quinlan (23), Greenwood (33), Tomkins (39)
Goals: Tickle 7, Shaw 1
Drop Goals: n/a
Salford Red Devils – 22
Tries:Sa’u (45, 61), Johnson (8), Bibby (78)
Goals: Chamberlain 3
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Hull Kingston Rovers: Quinlan, Shaw, Blair, Vaivai, Oakes, McGuire, Atkin, Scruton, Lee, Tickle, Greenwood, Tomkins, Kavanagh.
Replacements: Lunt, Masoe, Donaldson, Mulhern.
Salford Red Devils: Chamberlain, Johnson, Bibby, Sa’u, Olpherts, Lui, Shorrocks, Tasi, Wood, Mossop, Lannon, McCarthy, Flanagan.
Replacements: Tomkins, Burke, Murray, Jones.
Referee: Gareth Hewer.
