Salford ended a turbulent week with not only a well-deserved victory over Hull Kingston Rovers, but a performance that suggests much about the talent and spirit this group so clearly possess. Docked six points for a breach of the salary cap in 2014, there is an argument that the class of 2016 do not deserve the punishment handed their way.
Since Marwan Koukash assumed control in 2013, most of the headlines at Salford have been about what has happened off the field, typified by their points deduction. However, Ian Watson’s young side are fast crafting a reputation as one of the most extravagant and eye-catching sides in the competition.
“It was a huge win for us,” the coach said. “It gets us back on the horse and gets us two points and with the week we’ve had and the changes we’ve had to make it represents a big win.”
This victory moved Salford off the bottom at the expense of defending champions Leeds and, coupled with Huddersfield’s win against the Rhinos on Friday, it means the bottom four are now separated by one point. Perhaps more crucially though, it means there is a four-point gap to the top eight, which could be extended further if Castleford beat St Helens today on Sunday.
The Hull KR coach, James Webster, conceded his side were left to rue a sloppy opening period, before revealing the extent of the club’s injury problems. “We had a whole host of guys who, in a perfect world wouldn’t have played,” he said. “We probably had 11 fit players out there. There’s 10 games to go, there’s plenty of rugby to be played and we see ourselves as having a good chance of making the top eight. We’re doing it tough, I won’t hide away from that.”
Salford’s attacking triumvirate of Robert Lui, Michael Dobson and Gareth O’Brien were the chief instigators of Hull KR’s torment and three tries in the opening 15 minutes, all of which were laid on by the trio, put Salford into a lead they never really looked like surrendering. Junior Sa’u broke the deadlock after some fine handling put the centre over, before Lui and Niall Evalds crossed for further scores.
Rovers hit back when Albert Kelly’s clever kick was scooped up by his half-back partner, Maurice Blair, but Salford struck a decisive blow right on half-time when tries for George Griffin and Josh Jones made it 28-6.
You suspected Hull KR would have to score first in the second half to give themselves a remote chance of victory and although they did just that when Iain Thornley touched down, Salford hit back almost immediately with another fine piece of attacking play, as Sa’u crossed for his second following smart work from Lui and O’Brien.
Tries from Ken Sio – who suffered a serious-looking shoulder injury that may require surgery, Webster said – and Thomas Minns had suggested that the Robins could have staged an incredible comeback, but Lui’s sublime kick to set up Sau’s hat-trick was followed by the half-back’s second try just before the end.
