The home side looked to be over early in the first half, as a penalty conceded by the Red Devils gifted Rochdale a fresh set of six within 30m of the try line yet referee Chris Campbell deemed the pass forward.
Again repeated penalties let Salford down as former Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Wildcats player Chris Riley crossed in the right hand corner for the Hornets. Crook kicked his first of two conversions.
Minutes later Rochdale were over again as Dave Cookson found himself on the end of a grubber kick that the Red Devils couldn’t clear.
It took half an hour for the visitors to put points on the score board, spurred on by the arrival of new signing Robert Lui on the field who scored with only his second touch in the game. Dobson kicked his first of four conversions.
The Red Devils found their footing and the tries kept coming as a fantastic pass by Logan Tomkins saw Matt Sarsfield slip through the Rochdale defence to score.
Carl Forster put Salford ahead for the first time in the game just on half time as he twisted past multiple defenders to stretch over the line to score just left of the posts.
Half Time Score – Rochdale Hornets 12-18 Salford Red Devils
The Red Devils got off to a flying start in the second half as the powerhouse that is Justin Carney crossed for his first try in Salford colours. Dobson missed the conversion.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to be over again as Niall Evalds leaped to get his hands to a great kick by Captain Tommy Lee to score.
Rochdale weren’t finished yet though as their kick to restart was missed by Matty Gee and rolled in to touch to give them prime position to score. Moments later Dave Cookson was over for the home side. Cook missed the conversion.
The Red Devils were back on top though as the Hornets fumbled a Robert Lui high ball to gift the team possession 20m out from the line.
Fan’s favourite Junior Sa’u crossed on the left hand side with 10 minutes remaining of the game. Josh Griffin converted his first of two conversions.
Just 2 minutes later Olsi Krasniqi forced his way over the line to further the lead and Josh Griffin scored on full time.
Full Time Score – Rochdale Hornets 16-44 Salford Red Devils
Official Attendance – 1,325
Devils Off To Winning Start
Despite trailing 12-0 after twenty-five minutes, the Red Devils came back to ease past Rochdale Hornets 16-44 in their first competitive friendly of 2016.
