Hull KR 44 Salford Red Devils 30 - Robins end their long wait - but not without the usual drama

INEVITABLY, there had to be tension, nerves, a major collapse, too many frights by far and such like but it matters not '“ Hull KR finally have their first Super League win in nine months.
Hull Kingston Rovers James Green is hauled down in the tackle as he tries to launch an attack in yesterdays win over Salford Red Devils (Picture: Tony Johnson).Hull Kingston Rovers James Green is hauled down in the tackle as he tries to launch an attack in yesterdays win over Salford Red Devils (Picture: Tony Johnson).
Hull Kingston Rovers James Green is hauled down in the tackle as he tries to launch an attack in yesterdays win over Salford Red Devils (Picture: Tony Johnson).

Having raced into a 30-6 interval lead, it all looked so easy for head coach James Webster yesterday in his first game in charge at Craven Park.

Inspired by Australian stand-off Maurice Blair, Rovers were simply imperious, scoring five tries and leaving in-form Salford Red Devils, who would have moved into the top four with victory, in a befuddled state.

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The first half attacking masterclass, on the back of those rarest of things – a 100 per cent completion rate – was all the more remarkable considering the luckless East Yorkshire club were still without talisman injured half-backs Terry Campese and Albert Kelly.

Hull Kingston Rovers James Green is hauled down in the tackle as he tries to launch an attack in yesterdays win over Salford Red Devils (Picture: Tony Johnson).Hull Kingston Rovers James Green is hauled down in the tackle as he tries to launch an attack in yesterdays win over Salford Red Devils (Picture: Tony Johnson).
Hull Kingston Rovers James Green is hauled down in the tackle as he tries to launch an attack in yesterdays win over Salford Red Devils (Picture: Tony Johnson).

However, perhaps unsurprisingly for a team that has struggled for so long, Rovers then wobbled. And for a worryingly long period.

Their opponents emerged for the second period unrecognisable and, after former Hull KR player George Griffin scored two quick tries, all the home side’s hard work looked like coming undone.

Indeed, later, after Greg Johnson’s converted try saw Salford claw back to 30-24 in the 63rd minute, Niall Evalds, their maverick full-back, made a searing break in the very next set to leave Rovers’ truly on the brink.

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However, his inside pass went to ground, Webster’s men recovered and instead, moments later, Ryan Shaw scored at the other end to all but secure their first Super League victory since defeating the same side last June.

Hull Kingston Rovers James Green is hauled down in the tackle as he tries to launch an attack in yesterdays win over Salford Red Devils (Picture: Tony Johnson).Hull Kingston Rovers James Green is hauled down in the tackle as he tries to launch an attack in yesterdays win over Salford Red Devils (Picture: Tony Johnson).
Hull Kingston Rovers James Green is hauled down in the tackle as he tries to launch an attack in yesterdays win over Salford Red Devils (Picture: Tony Johnson).

It was their first victory in seven attempts this season and, with derby rivals Hull FC, arriving here on Good Friday, the timing could not have been better.

Josh Mantellato, the winger who had been out due to an eye injury suffered in the opening day draw against Castleford, made a successful return and, up front, the towering prop James Green and Mitch Allgood were just too powerful at times.

But when former Huddersfield Giants prop Craig Kopczak rumbled over from close range far too easily in the fourth minute, slipping Dane Tilse’s tackle for Gareth O’Brien to convert, you sensed it could be another arduous afternoon for Rovers.

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Their opponents never got near their line again in that first period, though, as Webster’s side – with a purple patch of three tries in just seven minutes – took firm control.

Unsurprisingly, given the complete hold he had on proceedings, it all started with a fine kick from Blair that sat up perfectly for Graeme Horne, Tilse, Ken Sio and Shaw to force Evalds back behind his own goalline for a drop-out.

From there, the first signs of Salford’s woeful defence came into view as Blair ran down a blind alley, stopped, turned and still had enough time to shrug off three feeble tackle efforts to score in the 15th minute.

Mantellato slotted the first of his seven kicks and the hosts struck again immediately as loose forward Chris Clarkson’s deft pass unleashed Ben Cocokayne, the full-back, who broke from deep and sent centre Iain Thornley over.

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They crossed next when Evalds spilled Blair’s towering kick and the Australian dismissed more shambolic defence to send Horne over untouched on 22 minutes.

They were not pitch-perfect – Blair did miss touch with a penalty – but they were near it as the likes of Green charged forward relentlessly, George Lawler directed and then Blair set Thornley and Mantellato on their way at every opportunity.

It was Blair, again, who created their fourth try, dummying to an inside runner before surging clear from halfway.

Evalds denied him with a tap-tackle but the home side held their nerve at the next play as they moved the ball wide on the last tackle for Sio to dive in for the try.

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Mantellato added a penalty but Webster’s side were not finished; Cockayne – a consistent threat from full-back – again found space down the middle for prop James Greenwood to cross.

However, Salford – who have vanquished St Helens this term and defeated Castleford Tigers last week – could not play as badly as they did in the first half again so it was no surprise when they returned with some semblance of order.

After Griffin’s double, created by former KR scrum-half Michael Dobson, was improved by O’Brien for 30-18, Mantellato tried settling nerves with a penalty just after the hour only to miss.

Moments later, Johnson scored but Evalds, who had a mixed afternoon, lost his composure at the critical time with that break and Shaw made sure, Mantellato improving and adding a penalty.

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That said, Kopczak barged over for his second try in the 75th minute to cause some further unease, Rovers having lost Horne and Greenwood to yet more injury woe.

But scrum-half Matty Marsh finally settling things with the Rovers’ seventh try on the final play.

Hull KR: Cockayne; Sip, Shaw, Thornley, Mantellato; Blair, Marsh; Walker, Lawler, Tilse, Clarkson, Horne, Allgood. Substitutes: Greenwood, Green, Boudebza, Mulhern.

Salford Red Devils: Evalds; Carney, Sa’u, J Griffin, Johnson; O’Brien, Dobson; Kopczak, Lee, G Griffin, Murdoch-Masila, Jones, Lannon. Substitutes: Flanagan, A Walne, Tomkins, Joseph.

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven).