Salford Red Devils were beaten 10-24 by Hull KR in Round 2 of the Betfred Super League.
It was a disappointing night for Paul Rowley’s men, with a string of errors ultimately costing his side after a positive start to the game.
The Red Devils were trying to create opportunities from the start and Marc Sneyd forced an early goal-line drop-out with a clever kick into the left corner.
Tyler Dupree and Tim Lafai threatened to break the defensive line early on, but both efforts were thwarted before they could cause KR problems
Salford’s pressure eventually told when Ryan Brierley’s carry right to the line allowed Kallum Watkins to receive the ball and spot Ken Sio in space to slide over in the right corner.
It was the perfect start for the hosts, but KR – who beat Challenge Cup holders, Wigan Warriors in Round 1 – grew into the contest and gained territory as the half went on.
Hull thought they’d pulled themselves level on 33 minutes, but Shaun Kenny-Dowall was adjudged to pull Sio back in the build-up.
HALF-TIME: Salford Red Devils 4-0 Hull KR
KR started the second-half on the front foot and Ethan Ryan was the first to go over for the visitors. Jordan Abdull sent a tricky grubber kick into the right corner and the bobble fell kindly for the winger to ground, with Will Dagger converting for the first of four occasions.
It was the same source with another grubber kick moments later; this time it was Frankie Halton who made the dart to gather the ball and slide over.
Salford were back on the board soon after, as they tried to wrestle back the momentum. Quick hands had Sio as the spare man, but Deon Cross jinked inside beautifully to sell his man and stretch over the try line – Marc Sneyd adding two.
The visitors hit straight back, however. Kenny-Dowall sprung into life on the left-edge and teed up Sam Wood to stretch over and extend KR’s lead.
Rowley’s men tried to fight back and some lovely work from Brodie Croft allowed Sio to collect the ball with open field ahead of him, but our number six was adjudged to be offside and Hull were awarded a penalty.
From that move, Willie Peters’ side made sure of the two points. Abdull’s swerving high kick was spilled by Brierley and Wood picked up the loose ball to stroll over for his second of the game.
FULLL-TIME: Salford Red Devils 10-24 Hull KR
