Salford Red Devils were well-beaten by league leaders Hull KR at Craven Park.
The Reds were missing Ryan Brierley and Loghan Lewis, but recalled Ollie Partington, Sam Stone, and Tim Lafai to the staring thirteen.
Inside an electric Craven Park, Salford were made to pay for their errors and a dropped ball from Ethan Ryan after KR’s first attacking set led to points.
In good field position, the Robins built pressure and Niall Evalds’ looped pass allowed Jack Broadbent to slide over in the right corner.
Salford bounced back in style, scoring a sublime try out of absolutely nothing. Joe Mellor chose the short side and some quick hands released Ethan Ryan on the right wing.
He raced away from the KR chasing pack and slipped Mellor back inside to go over. Marc Sneyd added the extras from the touchline and handed us an early lead.
It was a moment which could have spurred the team on, but it was the only bit of real joy the Reds could pull from a dominant Robins performance.
After a half-break from Ryan Hall, Salford were penalised for offside and Mikey Lewis opted to level the scoring via a penalty-goal.
The same source then nailed a 40-20 to gain valuable territory and put KR in prime position to extend their lead.
After a drive from prop, Jai Whitbread, the ball became loose and referee, Jack Smith adjudged Partington had stripped it from the Aussie’s grasp, meaning his subsequent grounding was confirmed as a try.
Two further quick-fire tries, just before the break, put further pain to a Salford side struggling to get any real foothold in the contest.
Lewis got in on the act when he spotted a gap on the left edge, whilst another display of quick hands from the Robins released Broadbent for his second.
It was a familiar story after the break. A high tackle from Nene Macdonald handed KR the opportunity and an offload close to the line from Peta Hiku allowed Tom Opacic to bundle over four more points.
Hooker, Jez Litten came into the game to inject some more pace and it produced instant results when his scoot from dummy-half caught the Reds off-guard.
Macdonald crossed with three minutes to play after a strong run, but it was only a consolation on what was a disappointing night for Rowley’s men.
Next up is the huge visit of Catalans Dragons in our final home fixture of the regular Betfred Super League season.
MATCH FACTS:
Salford line-up: Chris Hankinson, Ethan Ryan, Nene Macdonald, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross, Jayden Nikorima, Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Joe Mellor, Shane Wright, Sam Stone, Kallum Watkins, Oliver Partington.
Interchanges: Chris Atkin, Joe Shorrocks, Jack Ormondroyd, Harvey Wilson.
Tries: Joe Mellor, Nene Macdonald.
Conversions: Marc Sneyd (2/2)
Hull KR line-up: Niall Evalds, Jack Broadbent, Peta Hiku, Tom Opacic, Ryan Hall, Tyrone May, Mikey Lewis, Sauaso Sue, Matt Parcell, Jai Whitbread, Dean Hadley, Matty Storton, Elliot Minchella.
Interchanges: Jez Litten, Sam Luckley, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jack Brown.
Tries: Jack Broadbent (2), Jai Whitbread, Mikey Lewis, Tom Opacic, Jez Litten.
Conversions: Mikey Lewis (4/7)
HT: 20-6
Photo credit: Steve McCormick
