Reds hit Rovers for six

Salford City Reds bounced back from two successive defeats to run in six tries against Hull KR at The Willows on Friday night.

The 34-18 victory, only The Reds second win of this Super League campaign, came in a thoroughly dominant performance in front of a boisterous shed stand.

Having taken an early two try lead within the opening quarter through Ryan Boyle and Jodie Broughton the visitors hit back with an 18 point riposte after an abject opening.

It was Hull FC exile Craig Hall who’s 14 point haul awoke Hull Kingston Rovers from their relative slumber.

This comeback however was brought to an abrupt conclusion via two tries in a minute from Stefan Ratchford and Matty Smith.

With all eyes on big money signing Willie Mason it was Salford newcomer Sean Gleeson who made the greater impact.

The visitors who hadn’t lost to the Reds in Super League since 2007 found themselves without influential back rower’s Clint Newton and captain Mick Vella along with Great Britain winger Peter Fox.

Salford were required to call in under 20 academy players Callum Marriot and Alex Davidson as they went into the match without props Ray Cashmere and Iafeta Paleaaesina.

In this relatively inexperienced front row the Reds dominated, suppressing any attacking threat from Mason.

Front row forward Boyle went over for the first try at the end of a handling move that saw all but one of the Salford players touch the ball.

Influential full-back Luke Patten was at the heart of the next score, stretching the visitors defence to allow Jodie Broughton to score in the corner.

The sides went in at the interval with the score 10-6, an unfair reflection of the hosts dominance.

After the break Rovers struck twice more, Hall completing his brace and Scott Murrell evading the Reds otherwise stubborn defence.

This was to be the only glimmer of hope for an otherwise lack-lustre Hull KR as Salford proceeded to run in four unanswered tries, each of them converted by man of the match Daniel Holdsworth.

Ratchford and Smith scores were added to by ex-Wakefield centre Gleeson on debut with Marc Sneyd’s interception effort the exclamation point on a dominant Reds performance.