Salford see off Hull KR in game one of Magic Weekend

Photo credit – Adam Clarke

Salford Red Devils won a closely fought contest with Hull KR by 26-16 in game one of Super Leagues Magic Weekend.

The game started in cagey fashion, Salford looked the more dangerous of the two sides but Hull KR’s defence was solid, and they kept the game scoreless for 10 minutes.

The Robins then snatched their opportunity when it came, breaking fast through the middle of the pitch, catching the Salford defenders off guard to cross between the sticks and open the scoring in the 12^th minute, courtesy of Elliot Minchella.

Salford continued to look like the side more likely to create anything in the game. When you have Brodie Croft in your squad you can score points in any minute and from anywhere. That was exactly what happened in the 19^th minute, the Australian star broke up the middle and found Joe Burgess in support, who crossed for another easy score in-between the sticks.

Salford then ramped up the gears and started to put more pressure on a nervous looking KR side, and to add insult to injury for the Robins, they lost their second-rower James Batchelor to what appeared to be a nasty injury midway through the first half.

Hull KR continued to make silly errors when bringing the ball away from their line, needless offloads were hitting the deck left, right and centre, allowing the Red Devils more and more field position. When KR buckled and gave away a penalty, Salford opted for the free two points on offer to take the lead for the first time in the game, with 10 minutes to go in the first half.

Photo Credit – Adam Clarke

In the 34^th minute the pendulum swung again as KR retook the lead. It was the classic bulldozer play from their prop forward George King, he collected the ball centre field and just charged forward, trampling over anything that got in his way.

As the hooter sounded to round of a half full of errors with both sides playing at 50 percent, Salford received another penalty that allowed them to bring the scores even closer at the break. Sneyd converted his third of the half to leave the scoreboard reading 12-10 in favour of KR.

The second half started at a much higher pace, there was chances at both ends but no legitimate scores for 20 minutes. Both sides rode their purple patches before returning to their sloppy selves.

Salford then converted another two penalties in quick succession to take the lead in the game once more. Both sides also saw a yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the space of three minutes. First was KR’s Dean Hadley, before Salford’s Deon Cross followed him to the bench.

The Robins were the first side to score a try in the second stint, it took over 25 minutes but they were finally able to shift the ball wide through the hands to find Ryan Hall on the wing, who flew over in style.

However, it only took a further three minutes for Salford to change it all again. Ryan Brierley broke through the middle before teeing up his winger in support Ken Sio, who crossed to give Salford a four point lead.

In the 72^nd minute Brierley did it again, ripping apart the Robins’ defence and creating havoc, a havoc that Croft loves to feed off. He slipped over but still managed to get his pass away to Chris Atkin who crashed over, wrapping up the game for Salford by giving them a 26-16 lead.

It was a deserved win for the Red Devils in the end who leapfrog KR in the Super League table. Up next for them is a trip to struggling Castleford, whilst the Robins travel to the south of France to take on Catalan.