LETHAL LEFT LEVELS WITH ROVERS
Salford 16 Hull KR 16 Match Report – David Clegg
Salford Red Devils ended their four match losing run with this hard fought draw against Hull Kingston Rovers, and had much to be thankful for, to the potent left flank attacking force which is fast developing into one of the most lethal weapons in their armoury. Man of the Match, for the second successive home game, Junior Sa’u (right), led the way with strong bursts upfield, one of which set the platform for a Salford score, whilst Rangi Chase (below left) was his usual innovative self, probing and teasing the opposition. in addition to laying off some telling passes.
Gareth Hock, despite being a marked man, worked tirelessly as he took hit up after hit up in the Devils’ efforts to wear down the Rovers’ defence, and in fact his break, from within his own half, could have led to a last minute, Rangi Chase, winning try. Probably on a fine afternoon that would have been the case, but sadly, on this occasion, he was unable to get sufficient purchase on the ball to make the pass as accurate as he would have liked.
But it was quiet man, Francis Meli (below right), lingering with intent out on the touchline, who twice, on 21 and 54 mins, delivered the lethal blows to the Rovers, when he crossed for tries in the corner. Meli may no longer have the searing pace which wingers in their prime have, but close to the line he seldom fails to get vital touchdowns, using his experience and knowledge of the game to put himself in a position to latch onto any pass and turn it into four points.
And how his team mates know this, with first Rangi Chase sending him a long pass to catch out the Rovers’ markers, and then fullback Jake Mullaney, having joined the attacking line, managing to mirror Chase’s model, despite the attention of the Hull defenders. With Mullaney’s touchline conversion, to the second of these, sailing accurately between the posts, this ten point contribution was to prove vital to the Salford cause. Meanwhile, former Reds’ favourite, David Hodgson, now back with his Humberside, home town club, fluffed two similar chances in the opening stages of the match.
It will have been the manner in which the Red Devils coped with the difficult conditions, and controlled the game with the elements behind them in the second half, though, which will have pleased Head Coach, Iestyn Harris, particularly. With a completion rate of around eighty percent, from a greater number of sets than the visitors, in that second forty, they were able to build pressure and mount attacks in the Rovers’ half of the field.
Hull’s fair weather tactics, in the first half, on the other hand, proved to be somewhat costly, for despite considerable early pressure in the opening ten minutes, through a forty-twenty, and forcing two goal-line drop-outs, they came up with eight handling errors and barely shaded possession in that opening half, thereby limiting their half time lead to a mere six points.
In the end, though, it was the inabilities of both sides to field kicks in the blustery, wet conditions which were to add much to the mix, in terms of points. Twice, once in each half, the Devils were unable to kill the wet slippery ball as it skidded out of the grasp, allowing Hull to pounce for two converted tries and establish a 16-10 lead midway through the second half.
It was the home side however, which was to have the final say in a contest, to which a draw was probably a fair result. Once more a high kick was fluffed, this time by the Rovers, close to their own line, and Martin Gleeson picked up the spoils to cross to the right of the posts, on 63 mins, leaving Mullaney a straight forward kick at goal to tie the scores.
Two minutes later, Hull took absolutely no heed of their coach’s shrieked commands to turn a penalty in front of the posts into two points, preferring, themselves, to go for broke with a try. In the event, the recently much criticised Salford defence was equal to the situation, and the Red Devils showed that they had learned much about controlling the game and protecting their share of the points, by undertaking effectively, completion of the basics throughout the remainder of the game.
Hull KR Scorers:
Tries – Welham, Larroyer, Costigan
Goals – Burns (2)
